Qatar - Hungarian relations date back to 1990, where diplomatic relations between the two countries was established at the level of non-resident embassies, and in late 2004 was the opening of a resident embassy of the State of Qatar in Budapest.
The enhancing and consolidating these relations come after the important official visit by His Highness Father Amir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, to the Republic of Hungary on June 12, 2002, where he was greeted by late President of the Republic of Hungary Mr.Ferenc Madl, and where a number of bilateral agreements have been signed through the visit.
Politically, the attention of Hungary toward Qatar is growing, especially after its organization of many conferences and international forums with a global reputation, concerned with democracy and free trade and attracting decision makers and international dignitaries, and its substantive and clear policy towards international issues.
On the economic level there actively pursued from Hungary to lift the pace of economic relations with Qatar in the field of energy and investment in Hungary and the building of infrastructure projects and water treatment in the State of Qatar.
Bilateral agreements between Qatar and Hungary
In the presence of His Highness the Father Amir and then-President of the Republic of Hungary in Budapest on 12/6/2002 the signing of six bilateral agreements between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Hungary by the competent ministries in the two countries' governments are as follows:
1. Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Air Transport. It became effective on February 03, 2005.
(Updated and a "memorandum of understanding" was signed between the civil aviation authorities in the two countries in Doha on 05/22/2014).
(Superseded by the agreement under the title "Air Services Agreement" which was signed in Doha on 10/10/2016)
2. Cooperation Agreement in the Field of Tourism.
3. Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.
4. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
5. Declaration of Principles for Mutual Establishment of Resident Embassies in Qatar and Hungary.
6. Joint Declaration for Cooperation in the Field of Sports and Youth.
- The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Qatar Holding Intermediate Industries and Hungarian "DKG East" company (Doha, 22/01/2009).
- The signing of the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion (Budapest, 18.01.2012). It entered into force.
- The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation between the Ministry of Energy and Industry, State of Qatar and the Ministry of National Development of Hungary (Doha, 28/01/2013).
- The signing of an Agreement on Economic, Business and Technical Cooperation (Doha, 05/13/2013). It entered into force on 29.12.2013.
- The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Qatar Chamber and the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Doha, 13/05/2013).
- The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Educational and Professional cooperation between Qatar University and "Joseph Antal" Knowledge Centre (Budapest, 17/04/2013).
- The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Educational Field between Qatar University and the Corvinus University of Budapest, (Budapest, 18/04/2013).
- The signing of an Agreement for Cooperation in the Field of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of Hungary in Doha on 13/05/2014 in the presence of His Highness the Emir and President of the Republic of Hungary.
- The signing of the above mentioned "Air Services Agreement" between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of Hungary in Doha on 10/10/2016.
The following is the list of the agreements being prepared to be concluded between the State of Qatar and Hungary:
1. Agreement on Investment Promotion and Protection.
2. Agreement on the Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Special Passports.
3. Agreement on Cooperation and a Joint Exchange of News between Qatar News Agency and the Hungarian News Agency.
4. Cultural Cooperation Agreement between the governments of the two countries.
5. Memorandum of Understanding in the Fields of Youth and Sports.
Official visits exchanged between the two countries
On the part of the State of Qatar:
- 23 - 25/02/2005, HE Seif Mukadam Albuainain, Foreign Minister’s Assistant .
- 12/04/2005, HE Dr. Hussein al-Abdullah, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for the Economy and Investment.
- 22 - 23/05/2006, visit of a delegation of the General Civil Aviation Authority - Qatar Airways.
- 31/10/2007, Qatari delegation from the Ministry of Economy, chaired by HE Mr. Saud Jufairi to discuss a number of bilateral agreements.
- 17-19 / 04/2013, visit of a delegation of Qatar University, chaired by HE Dr. Sheikha Abdulla Al-Misnad, President of Qatar University to attend and participate in the "Views on the Arabian Gulf and Hungary Relations" conference, which was organized by "Joseph Antal" Knowledge Centre and the Corvinus University - of Budapest.
- 27-28 / 06/2013 visit of a delegation headed by HE Sheikh Faisal Bin Saud Al Thani, Director of Department for Development Management in "Qatar Holding Company" belonging to "Qatar Investment Authority", and his meeting with Mr. Peter Szijjarto, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations in the prime minister office, as well as with officials in the agency Hungarian investment and trade and officials for energy affairs.
- 8 to 11 October 2013 participating by HE Ahmed bin Amer Al Hamidi, Minister of Environmentand HE Mr. Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, the director of the Qatar National Food Security Programme, in Budapest Water World Summit.
- 24 to 26 February 2014 a delegation of experts from the Ministry of Interior headed by Colonel / Hadi Hamad Al-Hajri Shahwani visited the Hungarian Interior Ministry and be acquainted with a number of topics and cooperation programs.
- 7 to 8 April 2014 visit of a delegation from the Foreign Ministry headed by His Excellency Mr. Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, Minister's Assistant for Foreign Affairs under round of political consultations between the two foreign ministries. During the tour Mr. Rumaihi met with a number of Hungarians officials led by HE Mr. Janos Martonyi, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
While the Hungarian side following visits:
- 14 - 16/11/2005 Mr. / d. Tamas Kovacs, former assistant prosecutor, head of the military prosecution.
- 12 - 14.04.2006 Mr. / d. Peter Medgyessy, the former prime minister, to participate in the sixth Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade.
- 29/10 / - 1/11/2006 Mr. / Laszlo V’rkonyi, secretary of state in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- 23 - 25/04/2007 Mr. / Zsolt Nemet, Former Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Hungarian Parliament, to participate in the seventh Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade.
- 10-12 / 06/2007 Ms. / Kinga Gonc, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- 08/10/2007 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the MOL, the Hungarian oil and gas company and Qatar Petroleum General Corporation.
- 08 -10/04/2008 visit of a delegation from the Ministry of Economy and Transport of Hungary and signing of a memorandum of cooperation with Qatari Businessmen Board.
- 13-15 / 04/2008 visit by Mr. Viktor Orban, former prime minister to participate in the eighth Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade. (He is the current prime minister starting from May 2010).
- 21-22 /01/2009 official visit by His Excellency Mr. Ferenc Gyurcsany, Then-Prime Minister of Hungary at the head of a delegation comprising businessmen and his meeting with His Highness the Father Amir and Qatari officials.
- 2 to 3 May 2011 (unofficial) visit by His Excellency Mr. Pal Schmitt, the former President of the Republic of Hungary to Doha to participate in the Ninth World Conference on Sport and Environment .
- 28 to 29 January 2013 official visit by His Excellency Mr. Peter Szijjarto, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations in Cabinet. During the visit he met with the Minister of Energy and Industry, and Minister’s Assistant for Services Affairs and a number of officials in the country.
- 11 to 14 May 2013 an official visit by His Excellency Mr.Pal Kovacs, Minister of State for Climate and Energy Affairs, where he signed on 13.05.2013 an agreement on cooperation in the field of economics and business and technology with HE the Minister of Business and Trade.
- May 13, 2013 visit of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chaired by HE Mr. Miklós Ferenc, vice chairman of the chamber. The meeting took place with the Qatari Businessmen Association, as well as the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Qatar Chamber and the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- May 19 to 23, 2013 Visit of HE Ms. Reka Szemerkenyi, Hungarian Prime Minister's head advisers for foreign and security policy to participate in the Doha XIII Forum.
- July 1, 2013 official visit by His Excellency Mr. Szabolcs Takacs, Deputy Minister of State for International Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- January 16, 2014 an official visit by HE Mr. Janos Martonyi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and his meeting with HE Sheikh / Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior as well as with HE Dr. / Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- January 22, 2014 Visit of HE Ms. Reka SzemerkenyiHungarian Prime Minister's head advisers for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. She met with HE Dr. / Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry.
- March 24, 2014 Visit of HE Mr. Geza Poprady, Minister of State at the Ministry of Rural Development. He met with HE Mr. Ahmed bin Amer Al Hamidi, Minister of Environment.
- May 12 to 14, 2014 Visit of His Excellency Mr. Janos Ader, President of the Republic of Hungary, accompanied by his wife and his accompanying delegation. He met with His Highness Sheikh / Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. It considered the first visit of the President of the Hungary to the State of Qatar.
- 24-27 /02/2015 visit by HE Mr. Laszlo Kover , Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament. He met with HE Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi, Chairman of the Shura Council.