The Hungarian Ambassador to Kuwait, András Szabo, recently announced the launch of a direct flight route connecting Kuwait with Budapest, Hungary, operated by Jazeera Airways. The service is set to commence on June 5 and will run until the end of September, a development that is expected to significantly enhance tourism relations between the two countries.

This announcement was made in conjunction with a cultural exhibition organized by the Political Science Department at the College of Social Sciences, in collaboration with the Hungarian Embassy. The event was sponsored by the Acting Dean of the College, Dr. Ali Al-Zoubi, and supervised by Political Science and International Relations instructor, Dr. Mona Mohammed Ali, held at the Kuwait Airways auditorium located at the college in Shuwaikh.

Ambassador Szabo highlighted that visiting universities and engaging with students is one of the best ways to familiarize the youth with Hungarian culture. He noted that the embassy had previously organized a preparatory program during summer courses, which saw limited attendance due to the holiday season.

He stated, "Today we return, taking advantage of this occasion to achieve two goals: to introduce students to our culture and to promote the direct flights via Jazeera Airways."

Szabo praised Jazeera Airways for its participation in the cultural exhibition, describing the launch of the direct flight as a cornerstone for boosting Hungarian tourism. He indicated that the flight duration between Kuwait and Budapest would be approximately four and a half to five hours.

B Budapest, which comprises two parts separated by the Danube River, is considered one of the most important tourist destinations, known for its spas, cafes, restaurants, and hotels, as well as various tourist activities and distinguished residential areas.

He further noted Hungary's unique historical architecture, including the Parliament building, castles, and magnificent museums, alongside natural attractions such as Lake Balaton, which offers swimming and fishing activities, along with green spaces, forests, and charming cottages.

Ambassador Szabo pointed to the current surge in tourists visiting Hungary, attributed to its delightful climatic conditions, and mentioned that many Kuwaitis own properties in Hungary and spend their summer vacations there. He underscored that real estate ownership is accessible to all citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Addressing the topic of education in Hungarian universities, the ambassador shared that there are three accredited Hungarian universities in the medical field, and emphasized that the embassy aims to collaborate with the accreditation authority in Kuwait to gain recognition for more universities.

Customs and Traditions

On his part, Dr. Al-Zoubi expressed the college's commitment to educating its students about other societies through seminars and gatherings, including the cultural exhibition on Hungary, aiming to inform them of the traditions, customs, and social life of a friendly and historic country.

Regarding academic cooperation, Al-Zoubi noted a trend towards enhancing scientific relationships with Hungarian universities, stating, "During our discussions with the ambassador, we laid out a plan to establish an academic exchange between the College of Social Sciences and its counterparts in Hungary. I have suggested to some colleagues the possibility of engaging in academic sabbaticals at Hungarian universities, whether from Kuwait to Hungary or vice versa, to strengthen academic relations."

The Values of Dialogue

For her part, Dr. Mona Mohammed Ali indicated that the exhibition aims to broaden students' horizons and deepen their understanding of different cultures, fostering a culture of coexistence that reinforces the values of dialogue and social peace. She underscored that this initiative is part of prior collaboration with the Hungarian embassy.