Section of Economics

The Section of Economics had forty participants. A brisk and definitely useful discussion took place. In my report I elucidated the current economic processes in Hungary, the present state of its macro- and microeconomy and the actors on its economic stage, and gave a picture of its foreign trade with special attention to co-operation with Finno-Ugric peoples, including those in the Russian Federation. I pointed out that beside our accession to the European Union as a strategic goal1 mentioned by Hungarian Foreign Minister in his speech, we are paying serious attention to other foreign economic relations as well. This includes strengthening economic bonds with Finno-Ugric peoples. Much attention is devoted to this.

The work in the Section of Economics was active, accompanied by many-sided discussions. Nearly half of participants asked for the floor and made their reports. They briefly informed the Section on economic development in their regions and on the growth of the network of institutions and structures of the market economy. The attainments of economies that are at various stages of development may play an important role in the future progress of other partner peoples.

Aspirations for a closer co-operation were strongly expressed by representatives of nearly all peoples. The demand for and the adequate provision of information were mentioned as an important area of activity. It was emphasised that the ongoing work should proceed on the basis of the already developed personal contacts. Strengthened humanitarian co-operation and continued contacts between experts, supported by the resources of universities and other institutes of higher education, can give an impulse for economic co-operation in the future. An important tool for achieving more systematic contacts among businessmen and enterprises and for improving the information exchange is the participation and assistance of authorities. Ensuring the fulfilment of already existing agreements concluded at various levels, disclosing and eliminating the obstacles may be viewed as another important task.

Apart from discussing these general topics, the Section presented an opportunity to enter several detailed proposals, to discuss them and to establish direct business contacts.
Here are some major detailed proposals:

• to conclude of a quadripartite agreement between Hungary, Finland, Estonia and Russia on assisting the contacts between Finno-Ugric peoples;2
  
• to establish a commission assisting the economic co-operation between Finno-Ugric peoples;3
  
• to establish a system of financial institutions to support economic and trade relations;4#
  
• to solve problems that impede employment among small and dispersed indigenous populations by establishing and transferring to them of a minimum package of technologies for processing local raw materials for life-support.
  Delegates from the Russian Federation displayed a vivid interest to the Hungarian, Finnish and Estonian experience of constructing their economies and expressed the need and will to learn, introduce and make use of these practices.

Karoly Attila Soós
Chairman of the Section

Source: 2nd World Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples.
Budapest, 1996 [Debrecen, 1999], pp. 215–216.

Notes
1. Hungary was invited to the European Union in the end of 2002.
2. No such agreement had not been concluded by 2003.
3. The said commission had not been established by 2003.