Hungary’s foreign minister inaugurates embassy building in Washington

Washington, DC, March 22 (MTI) – Foreign minister Péter Szijjártó inaugurated the new building of the Hungarian embassy to the United States in Washington, DC on Wednesday.

Speaking after Ambassador Réka Szemerkényi’s greeting, Szijjártó expressed hope that the opening of the new building would mark the start of new initiatives resulting in a “common success story” with the US. The US itself is now pursuing “more patriotic” policies, and Hungary trusts that President Trump will be successful in making America safer and greater, Szijjártó said. This would result in a safer, greater world, he said.

The fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation and against terrorism in general remains the greatest threat to the civilised world, Szijjártó said. Despite the global coalition’s recent successes, efforts should be redoubled to ensure the complete obliteration of IS, he said. Hungary is proud to be one of the 27 countries contributing to this effort, fighting alongside America, he said.

At a meeting of the global coalition fighting IS to be held later on Wednesday, Szijjártó will propose boosting Hungary’s presence in Iraq.

Speaking of illegal migration, Szijjártó said it was only natural that a country leadership should put the security of the country and its people first. “Hungary has been doing the same, heavy criticism notwithstanding.”

Szijjártó said that a “fresh start” is discernible in the world. “The age of hypocrisy and political correctness is over, and competitiveness is measured by very different standards . The previous intrusion into Hungary’s internal affairs is also gone. America’s new approach to Hungary is much more constructive”, he said.

Szijjártó is to address the meeting of foreign ministers of the global coalition fighting IS and terrorism on Wednesday.

As part of his programme in Washington on Tuesday, Szijjártó met Sebastian (in Hungarian: Sebestyén) Gorka, a member of President Trump’s national security advisory staff of Hungarian parentage, and United States Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt.

Szijjártó met Sebestyén Gorka

Szijjártó addressed representatives of the American-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce at a business dinner, praising the deep effects of the “changes in American economic policy” on world economics. Hungary is dedicated to strengthening its competitiveness using “unorthodox economics”, he said. Members of the chamber attending included representatives of Lockheed Martin, Fedex, Comcast, Citibank and Procter and Gamble.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI