BUDAPEST, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Hungary has signed a deal to buy China's Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, which will allow the vaccination of 2.5 million people, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said Friday.

Szijjarto made the announcement on his Facebook page, following a phone call with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Hungary thanks China for its strong support in vaccine cooperation, and hopes that China will speed up the approval process to facilitate Hungary's purchase of vaccines in China, Szijjarto noted.

Wang said that with joint efforts of China and Hungary, vaccine cooperation will definitely become an upgraded version of anti-COVID-19 cooperation between the two countries.

"The delivery will take place in four stages over four months," said Szijjarto, adding that a contract was already signed earlier Friday.

"This deal will speed up vaccination, which could save the lives of thousands of people and contribute to lifting restrictions sooner," he added.

Hungary is the first country in the European Union to sign up to Chinese vaccines.?

China is endeavoring to make its vaccines a global public good,?contributing to the global fight against COVID-19. By Jan. 26, 12 foreign countries had granted market approval or emergency use for Chinese vaccines.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service