The President welcomed the state visit of Hungarian President László Sólyom to the Presidential Office of Cheong Wa Dae on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries on Tuesday (Dec. 1).

President Sólyom, who is currently visiting Korea from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, participated in a dinner party upon his arrival and held in-depth talks with President Lee on issues of common interest.

The two presidents agreed to further expand exchanges in the areas of personnel (high-level officials), trade, investment, culture, and academia. Lee called for Hungary''s support for early ratification of the Korea-EU Free Trade Agreement that was tentatively signed this year, and called for his counterpart to make it an opportunity for Korea and Hungary to make further advancement toward the future.

The two leaders, in general, showed satisfaction about the long-held ties between the two countries and expressed further expectation for extended cooperation in sectors of trade, investment and other economic fields. President Sólyom also proposed further cooperation in the science and technology sector through measures like joint establishment of research centers, and called for Korea''s establishment of a Korea Culture Center in Hungary. President Lee agreed to positively look into the matter.

President Lee explained Korea''s own efforts to tackle the North Korea nuclear issue through the six-party talks and his Grand Bargain, a comprehensive package to persuade the North. President Solyom expressed support for the plan, expressing hopes for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Hungary was the first country among the old East European bloc nations that established diplomatic ties with Korea in 1989, offering Korea an early foothold to make new advancement into the region.

Hungary boasts a strong foundation in science and technology, having produced 14 Nobel Prize winners in the field of physics, chemistry and more.

Hungary''s Liszt Music Academy is also where Ahn Eak-tai (1906-1965), a composer of the Korean national anthem studied under the great Hungarian folk musician Zoltan Kodaly.