V4 country to produce Russian jab

Negotiations have begun on strategic cooperation between the Hungarian National Vaccine Centre and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RFPI) - the ageny in charge of Russian vaccine production - Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told Hungary s state news agency (MTI) after meeting Commerce Minister Denis Manturov at the St Petersburg International Commercial Forum.

WORLD JUNE 3. 2021 18:32

The two politicians agreed in principle that Russia would disclose to Hungary the manufacturing process of the Sputnik V or other Russian vaccines, if negotiations on strategic cooperation could be concluded.They will be followed by discussions on technological issues, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

„In short, both Russia and Hungary are open and willing to sign a deal which would allow our national vaccine factory to produce vaccines on the basis of a Russian license,” Peter Szijjarto said.

He pointed out that the Hungarian vaccine factory will be up and running by the end of 2022, adding that an agreement in principle has been reached. Mr Szijjarto stressed that the Russian vaccine was especially popular in the eastern part of the world, and the demand for it will increase, which will require a sufficiently large production capacity. „If Hungary can benefit from the endeavour, then it is worth diving into,” the foreign minister emphasised.

The emerging collaboration in vaccine manufacturing will be a continuation of the ongoing previously established successful cooperation, he said, and then went on to praise minister Manturov s personal role in facilitating Hungary to become the first European country to seal a procurement agreement for Sputnik V, which the Russian supplier delivered in time. Mr Szijjarto said he was grateful that the Russian Sputnik V vaccine had provided security for one million Hungarians, enabling Hungary to be the first country to begin reopening in Europe.

Regarding the announcement by the Russian government that scheduled commercial flight services between the two countries will resume from 10 July, FM Syijjarto said that for the time being, those travelling for investment, economic, business or kinship purposes will be able to enter Russia. He expressed hope that the two countries would soon be able to go even further though a complete and mutual recognition of each other s vaccination certificates, which is currently under negotiation.

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covid-19, Hungary, production, sputnik v, v4, vaccines