Magyar Telekom plans to invest fresh EUR 180 million in Macedonia over the next few years. Hungarian Ambassador to Macedonia Jozsef Bencze referred to his country's efforts for enhancement of economic cooperation with Macedonia in the course of Wednesday's visit to the Economic Chamber.

"Hungary is one of the biggest investors in Macedonia. The global crisis has hit the bilateral economic cooperation, but our efforts for its intensifying resume", said Bencze.

Telecommunications, energy, banking, tourism, agriculture and gasification are just some of the fields in focus of future business operations.

The ambassador also proposed the establishment of a mixed economic committee for a more direct and efficient communication among businessmen and competent institutions from both countries.

Bencze reiterated that Hungary fully supports Macedonia's Euro-integration process, adding that EU accession negotiations must be launched despite the failure to overcome the name problem.

"This will give an additional stimulus to the enhancement of economic trends", said Hungarian Ambassador.

Macedonia-Hungary trade exchange amounted to EUR 115 million in 2010.