Bucharest, Jan 20 /Agerpres/ - The governments of Hungary and Romania are planning to increase the number of border crossing points between the two countries in order to put an end to long waiting times, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto declared in Bucharest on Monday, adding that both sides are committed to further developing mutually beneficial cooperation, news agency MTI reports.

After talks with several members of the newly inaugurated Romanian Cabinet, Szijjarto referred to the strategic importance of developing cross-border infrastructure. A statement by the Hungarian Foreign Ministry noted that Romania became a full-fledged member of the Schengen Area during Hungary's EU Presidency and border controls were 'finally eliminated', reducing 'uncertainty arising from long waiting times'.

Szijjarto welcomed the upcoming increase in the number of border crossings from 12 to 22, thereby reducing the average distance between crossings from 37 km to 20 km. He noted that an agreement on opening further crossings is in the pipeline, and that Romania and Hungary have also signed an agreement on rebuilding the bridge in Magyarcsanad (Hungary) and Cenad (Romania) and constructing a new railway line between Szeged and Timisoara.

Peter Szijjarto praised Romania as 'one of Hungary's most important economic partners' and its third largest export market. Hungarian companies such as Hell, Mol, Wizz Air and Richter are market leaders in Romania, he added.

Energy cooperation between the two countries, the Hungarian top diplomat said, greatly enhanced the security of supplies for both countries. The Hungary-Romania interconnector delivered 1.7 billion cubic meters of gas to Hungary last year, and Romania is preparing to tap a new offshore gas field. 'If all goes well,' this could provide new resources to Central Europe by 2027, the Hungarian foreign minister added.

'In this new situation, we have a legitimate interest in expanding gas trade cooperation. The relevant talks are already underway between our companies,' he went on to say.

Meanwhile, a joint-venture has been created to prepare Hungary's cooperation with Azerbaijan, Romania and Georgia to import green energy from the Caucasus region, Szijjarto said.

He also welcomed the inclusion of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) in the new Romanian Cabinet, stating that hopes are high that this will massively improve bilateral cooperation, and voicing appreciation for the fact that the UDMR heads ''two important ministries', Development and Finance.

''There is no doubt in Romania that the UDMR politicians are trustworthy and that they will add considerable value to the government's performance,' he remarked.

In talks with his Romanian counterpart Emil Hurezeanu, Szijjarto stated that the focus will be on pragmatic cooperation and they were in agreement that Central Europe needs peace, development and stability. AGERPRES (RO - author: Tudor Martalogu, editor: Irina Cristea; EN - editor: Simona Klodnischi)