Singapore - Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom said Friday Europe can now offer the world "impulses for eco-social globalization."Wrapping up a two-day visit to Singapore, Solyom said climate change "presents a unique opportunity to the international community to unite in the effort."
Speaking at Singapore Management University, the president said European countries have to realize and accept that an "ecological" Europe is among the preconditions for a more just world."
"The more affluent groups of countries such as the G8, the OECD or the European Union hold the key to the mitigation of climate change," since their per capita and total greenhouse gas emissions rank among the highest in the world, he noted.
Climate change and the environment were stressed during his first visit to the city-state. He earlier discussed collaboration on the issues with Singapore President SR Nathan.
Singapore and Hungary can aim to strengthen cooperation in a wide range of other areas as well, from trade and science and technology to sports training and air services, Nathan said Thursday night at a dinner hosted for Solyom.
He noted that the city-state's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Hungary in October, and that a strong foundation has been built in research and development and educational partnerships.
"There is also much scope for Singapore and Hungary to deepen cooperation in trade and investment," Nathan said.
Solyom also met with Lee. Both agreed to step up cooperation and people-to-people linkages through student exchanges.
The Hungarian president visited Vietnam and Indonesia before Singapore.
