INTERVIEW

“The omnipresent elegance of Budapest” – Interview with H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis, Greece’s ambassador in Hungary

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis

We dicussed multiple topics with H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis, Greece’s ambassador in Hungary who answered all our questions thoughtfully. We talked about his favourite Hungarian starter, main course, and dessert in a traditional Hungarian restaurant, some lesser-known gems Hungarian tourists should visit if they are in Greece, the changes in the trade relationships between Greece and Hungary, the ongoing conflict in Israel and Ukraine, the Greek origins of the Hungarian Holy Crown and the omnipresent elegance of Budapest’s great historic past. We also asked the ambassador’s opinion about the most picturesque tourist attractions in Hungary.

DNH: You’ve been in Budapest for over a year now. What expectations did you have when you first arrived, and how have you found your experience with the Hungarian people?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: From the moment I set foot on Budapest I was impressed by the beauty of this amazing European metropolis. And this feeling becomes stronger every day. Indeed, Budapest is a marvelous mix of remarkable architecture, buzzing cultural life and loads of interesting people, many of which have honoured me with their friendship since my arrival. All this combined with the unique Danube setting and the omnipresent elegance of Budapest’s great historic past renders this city extremely pleasant to live and work.

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis
Photo: Embassy of Greece in Budapest

DNH: How would you characterise the relationship between Greece and Hungary?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: The bilateral relations of Greece and Hungary are traditionally friendly and the co-operation between our two countries constructive, as it usually happens with countries that enjoy longstanding historic bonds. Moreover the centuries-old presence of Greek nationals in Hungary, apart from contributing to the city’s development and cultural diversity, also serves as a solid bridge of friendship between our two countries and peoples. Let me remind you that the presence of Greek diaspora in Hungary dates back to the early Hungarian Kingdom and its traces can be found even in the lower part of the Hungarian Holy Crown, which has Greek inscriptions and is thought by many experts to have originated in workshops of Constantinople, the Byzantine capital.

Our cooperation is fruitful also in multilateral context, as we are both members in the EE and NATO. Of course, as it is often the case between friends and allies, we do not see all issues eye to eye, however Greece always respects its partners and allies and based on its principled foreign policy seeks constructive and mutually beneficial compromises.

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis
Photo: Embassy of Greece in Budapest

DNH: Migration is certainly a significant shared concern, with Greece being a border country, and we all remember the images of large numbers of migrants arriving in your country. What is the situation like now, and what is your stance on the EU’s migration quota?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: Being countries with a long historic past and rich cultural background is not the only thing Greece and Hungary have in common. Our two countries do also share the challenge of being front line states, with a duty to protect their borders that are also EU borders. Allow me in this point to remind your readers that Greece was the first country, back in March 2020, to experience and effectively counter, to the benefit of both Greece and Europe, the hybrid threat of instrumentalization of migration flows.

Big fence and big door required to deal with migration

Having said that, let me point out that Greece is following a tough but fair migration policy, with a strong emphasis on the external dimension of migration and border protection , while at the same time the Greek Coast Guard has saved thousands of lives at sea. Moreover, two equally important pillars of our migration policy are effective returns and, of course, legal migration. Indeed,

we need both a big fence and a big door to deal with migration,

i.e. it is important for the EU, apart from defending its external borders, to establish legal, organized, pathways to migration, for both humanitarian and economic reasons.

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis
Photo: Embassy of Greece in Budapest

We are happy to see that during the last years Europe’s migration policy is coming much closer to the Greek positions. The external dimension of migration, the protection of European borders, the new Pact on Migration and Asylum constitute successes of Europe and are developments that are close to the relevant Greek positions, providing for fair-sharing of responsibility and solidarity between EU member-states.

DNH: Hungarian foreign policy can be quite divisive. On one hand, the government is pushing for a peace mission in Ukraine, while on the other, it strongly supports Israel in seeking a military solution. What is your perspective on these two conflicts?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: You referred to the two major war fronts next to Europe. The Greek position is again one of principle on both questions.

Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s illegal war of aggression is also legitimate resistance against revisionism. This is a war that concerns all of us and on this basis the Greek support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people is unwavering. Unconditionally rejecting revisionist policies wherever they come from is the only way to serve and promote longstanding peace.

Coming to the Middle East, Greece remains firmly committed to an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access to Gaza, unconditional release of hostages and a two-state solution. It is absolutely imperative to prevent a spillover, which will be a serious global threat.

UNSC member

DNH: In June, we heard the news that Greece had been elected as a member of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026. This is a major diplomatic achievement, but what does it mean for Greece?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: Indeed, Greece will be an elected member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the next two years. We are grateful that the members of the UN, with their recent vote, entrusted us with a third stint in Greece’s history in this major UN body. Three words of Greek origin but of universal meaning will guide Greece’s tenure on the Security Council: “Dialogue, Diplomacy, Democracy”.

Greece serves as a key pillar of stability and democracy both in the Balkan region and the wider Southeastern Mediterranean, supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states and condemning revisionism wherever it comes from. As an elected member of the UNSC, Greece will spare no effort in order to ensure that the opinions of all States are heard and respected, as well as to promote consensus and build solutions to global challenges, in line with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and the respect for international law. We aspire to become a stabilizing actor in the Security Council, and a constructive bridge between South and North, between West and East.

DNH: Hungary currently holds the EU Presidency. What opportunities does this offer for Greece, and what outcomes do you anticipate during this period?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: Greece is sparing no effort in order to contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of the EU common values and goals. In this context we are constructively cooperating with the Hungarian presidency, working together to advance the significant priorities set by it, that we share and support.  For example, both countries fully share the need for a merit-based enlargement policy -one of the major priorities of the Hungarian Presidency-, as well as the assessment that the European path of the Western Balkans is crucial for establishing regional peace and prosperity. Indeed promoting the European perspective of the Western Balkans, in full respect of the European acquis, international law, and the principles of democracy and the rule of law, has always been a main goal for Greece, and we outlined this stance more than twenty years ago, when, by virtue of the so called “Thessaloniki Agenda” in 2003, Greece led the way for the integration of the Western Balkans into the European family.

DNH: Which areas of trade and investment between Greece and Hungary show the greatest potential for growth and how can businesses in both countries take advantage of these opportunities? Specifically, what Greek products are most commonly found in Hungary, and which Hungarian products are most popular in Greece?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: As I mentioned before our bilateral co-operation is good, including our bilateral economic relations, with the value of bilateral trade volume exceeding the EUR 1 billion mark in 2023. However there is much room for further improvement, also in light of the fact that both economies are on a growth trajectory, putting emphasis on promoting foreign trade and investments. Moreover, our economies are characterised by complementarity as they largely produce goods that meet each other’s needs. In addition, European policies promoting interconnectivity create great potential for enhancing bilateral trade and developing transit services, given also the fact that our two countries are linked by two new Trans-European Corridors. Finally Greece’s role as an energy hub in its broader region, as well as its successful investments in Renewable Energy Sources, that made Greece a world leader when it comes to the penetration of wind and solar, creates many opportunities for constructive cooperation also in the energy sector.

Coming to specific Greek products in the Hungarian market, one can find a quite broad variety of food products, such as the internationally known olive oil, an integral part of the famous Greek gastronomy, which, given its purity and nutritious value, can be considered a major super food. Moreover tasty Greek cheeses, including the Greek feta cheese, can be found in the shelves of the Hungarian super markets. Other popular Greek products in Hungary are fresh fruits, as well as canned fruits which are in high demand. Finally some very good Greek wines can be savoured in the many restaurants, in particular the Greek ones, of Hungary. Apart from food, Greek exports include among others construction materials, e.g. we have excellent production and technology in the field of aluminium and its products.

Regarding Hungarian exports to Greece, the main products are industrial, such as cars, telephone devices, and screens. Moreover processed meat products have a notable presence in the Greek market, while Hungarian wines are also exported to a lesser extent. Finally, the famous Hungarian porcelains are known to a segment of Greek consumers and can be found in some specialized exclusive stores.

On investment, there is scope for growth. Ιn Hungary there are about 60-70 companies of Greek interests (mixed and purely Greek), mainly in the tourism (agencies) and trade (food/drink import) sectors, as well as in the industrial, transport and service sectors.

Needless to say that promoting trade and economic cooperation is a major goal for us, and the Embassy’s Economic & Commercial Office is working on that in order to further enhance the contacts of the business communities of our two countries through targeted business meetings, visits to sectoral exhibitions, etc. so that the business people themselves can explore the relevant various possibilities of investments and joint ventures.

DNH: Greece is a popular destination for Hungarian tourists, and we are familiar with the main holiday hotspots. Could you suggest any lesser-known gems that are worth visiting?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: Indeed, Greece has the privilege to be a major tourist destination and its tourism sector is booming. I believe there are numerous reasons for that. Apart its natural beauty and rich history, Greece managed over the last years to further advance its touristic product and to offer impeccable infrastructure and services together with competitive prices. Moreover the unique Greek gastronomy and the lively way of life are additional reasons to vote for Greece on your holiday plans. Furthermore various alternative forms of tourism have been developed in Greece over the last years (among others cultural tourism, religious tourism, oleotourism, wine tourism, health tourism, sports tourism etc), covering the needs of all kind of visitors. And last but not least the famous Greek hospitality, accurately reflected in the word “philoxenia”, the Greek word for hospitality which means literally being a friend to a stranger.

We are grateful to Hungarians for making Greece one of their top holiday choices [In 2023, 522,000 Hungarians visited Greece: 69% increase in the number of travelers compared to 2022]and we look forward to warmly welcoming more friends from Hungary and showing them the meaning of the Greek hospitality!

Before coming to my personal lesser- known holiday gems in Greece, let me stress that, given its mild climate that makes the country a 365- day destination, it is worth visiting Greece all year round, and not only in the Summer. In particular winter sports enthusiasts will be thrilled to discover the state-of-the-art infrastructure for winter tourism in Greece, including the existing 17 ski resorts.

Moreover, given the fact that Greece is a country dotted with numerous historic churches and monasteries, it could be of interest to our Hungarian friends to participate in the amazing experience of touring the country in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and conclude this unique trip by climbing to the Meteora Monasteries (the Greek word Meteora means suspended in the air and aptly describes these spectacular Byzantine monasteries and their breathtaking  landscape).

Of course, if you prefer to stick to the islands and the “deep Greek blue” there are various, less frequented but equally beautiful, destinations, such as the islands of Leipsoi, Kastelorizo, Nisiros, Symi, Irakleia and Chios. Finally some more suggestions for our Hungarian friends include the Region of Epirus with mountainous picturesque traditional villages, such as Zagorochoria, the Messinian mainland with olive groves, medieval towers and excellent local cuisine, or the second biggest Greek City Thessaloniki, with its famous Byzantine monuments, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as its unique gastronomy and the nearby amazing beaches of Halkidiki.

DNH: On the subject of tourism, from a Greek perspective, what do you consider to be the most picturesque tourist attractions in Hungary?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: Let me first of all say that that Hungary over the last years has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for Greeks. It is a fact I witness every weekend during my regular strolls along the Danube, where I run to an ever growing number of enthusiastic Greek travelers. I believe that the existing Memorandum on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism between our two countries constitutes a solid basis for further promoting our relevant bilateral cooperation.

As far as my own favourite tourist attractions, I could not skip the stunning Szent Istvan Basilika, the Hungarian Parliament and the Heroes square in the Pest side, as well as the unique Buda Castle district in the Buda side. I think that all those are emblematic references of the amazing capital of Hungary. However the beauty of your country is not limited to Budapest. From Balaton lake to the beautiful castles in Visegrád, Eger and Fertőd, to Estergom and Veszprém, Hungary never fails to impress the tourist.

In conclusion, since you referred to your question to the Greek perspective, of particular touristic interest for me is to follow the imprints of the historic Greek Diaspora in your country in the 18t and 19th centuries, which can be traced all around Budapest. For example many buildings, of the 5th district in particular, bear witness to the presence of Greek merchants. The emblematic Széchenyi/Chain Bridge, was financed to an important extent by Georgios Sinas, who is commemorated below one of the lions on the Buda side of the bridge. His son, Simon Sinas, was the largest donor and founder of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences located on Széchenyi Square. On Vörösmarty square still stands the house of the Mouratis family, a member of which, Irene Mourati, was the mother of a Hungarian Prime Minister, Pál Teleki. On Váci street 26, you can see inscriptions with the name of prince Alexandros Ypsilantis, who started the fight for Greek independence in 1821. After his effort was suppressed, his fighters were helped by the Hungarian people. The Greeks of Hungary were grateful for this and fought on the Hungarian side during the 1848 revolution. Overlooking the Danube, on Petőfi tér, stands the impressive and graceful Church of the Holy Assumption of the Virgin, which was built at the end of the 18th century by wealthy Greek merchants. Memories of this Greek presence live on in other places too, such as Szeged, Ηódmezővásárhely, Szentendre, Szentes and even Tokaj where Greeks were involved in the wine business two hundred years ago. Moreover the Greek presence in Hungary is not only just matter of history. About 5,000 Greeks still live in Hungary today and are officially recognized as one of the country’s national minorities.  So in particular for Greeks visiting Hungary, the picturesque village of Beloiannisz (about 45 kms to the south of Budapest), built in 1952 on land which had once been owned by the Sinas family and having served as “home”  for many Greeks that after the civil war of 1946-49 arrived  in your country, remains always an important destination. Having said that, I would like to take this opportunity to express Greece’s gratitude for the warm hospitality and support provided by Hungary to the Greek minority, which has always served as a bridge of friendship between our countries and peoples.

DNH: What major cultural events or initiatives took place during this year 2024 or can be expected later this year or in 2025?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: In the beginning of this year concluded with great success an exhibition organised at the initiative of our Embassy entitled “Poetry in Stone. Classical Greece through the lens of Robert McCabe”. The exhibition, which took place in the emblematic National Széchényi Library, presented 48 selected black and white photographs by the internationally renowned American photographer Robert McCabe, portraying Greece’s history, culture, and natural beauty. It was a successful cultural event that attracted the interest of the Hungarian public and contributed to further strengthening the longstanding historic bonds between the two countries and peoples.

Moreover, Greece after some year of absence, participated again in 2024, in the 14o Festival of Films Francophone, with the film “Where we Live” by the prominent Greek director Sotiris Goritsas. We are planning to participate again in 2025 in this important cinephile event in Budapest.

Last but not least, I would like to add that Greece will support the activities of the Department of Greek Language and Literature of Eotvos Lorand University, whose contribution by both Greece and Hungary over the years to the promotion of the Greek language and culture is highly valued

DNH: Finally, a question we ask all ambassadors: When dining at a Hungarian restaurant, what would your choice of starter, main course, and dessert be?

H.E. Emmanouil Apostolakis: When arriving to a new country I always enjoy exploring the local cuisine, and also through becoming more familiar to the customs and heritage of a nation. By now I can say that I am a big fan of the Hungarian gastronomy. For starters in a restaurant I like to choose different kind of delicacies from the Hungarian countryside, such as cheeses and famous Hungarian charcuteries. My go-to order for a main course is the famous goulash soup. As for the dessert, although I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, I never say no to a good somlói galuska.  And of course there is always a broad selection of tasty Hungarian wines to accompany any meal.

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South Africa’s Deputy Foreign Minister’s visit strengthens diplomatic ties with Hungary

Alvin Botes, South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Alvin Botes, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, spoke about his diplomatic travel to Hungary. During the visit (23 September 2024), which aims to deepen bilateral relations, he explored opportunities for cooperation in key sectors such as education, trade, water management and peace diplomacy. The interview provided a comprehensive overview of the outcome of the discussions and the shared aspirations of the two countries.

Diplomatic relations focus on bilateral cooperation

During the interview, Deputy Minister Botes underlined the more than 30 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Hungary, which date back to 1991. During his visit to Hungary, he held bilateral consultations with his Hungarian counterpart, Deputy Minister Levente Magyar. Discussions focused on strengthening diplomatic relations through the Joint Cooperation Committee and the establishment of the Joint Economic Committee, which aim to strengthen bilateral relations, focusing on economic diplomacy, trade and institutional cooperation.

Botes underlined the importance of Hungary as a strategic partner in Europe, particularly in promoting South Africa’s foreign policy objectives in the region.

Education partnerships, building a skilled workforce

One of the main topics of the diplomatic discussions was the development of educational cooperation. Hungary offers 100 scholarships annually to South African students in the Stipendium Hungaricum program, which plays a crucial role in skills development in areas such as water management and engineering. Botes praised Hungary’s commitment to education, noting that the cooperation dates back to South Africa’s struggle against apartheid when freedom fighters were given educational opportunities in Hungary.

The deputy minister stressed the importance of the institutional links between universities in the two countries, which have facilitated exchange programmes and research cooperation. These educational partnerships are crucial for South Africa’s growth, as they provide young South Africans with the skills needed to drive development in critical sectors.

Peace diplomacy and multilateral cooperation

During the interview, Botes addressed pressing global issues, in particular the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. He praised Hungary’s noncommittal stance, which is in line with South Africa’s foreign policy, as both sides support dialogue, mediation and peaceful resolution of conflicts. He stressed the need to address the root causes of the conflict, referring to the failed Minsk agreements and the role of multilateral institutions such as the UN in peace diplomacy.

Botes also addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, acknowledging the differences between South Africa’s and Hungary’s positions while Hungary has a historic relationship with Israel because of its Jewish population, South Africa is steadfast in its support for the Palestinian people. However, Botes stressed that both sides respect each other’s positions and will continue diplomatic cooperation through international organisations, such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Alvin Botes, South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Alpár Kató, daily News Hungary Editor-in-Chief
Alvin Botes, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Alpár Kató, Daily News Hungary Editor-in-Chief

Economic diplomacy: Trade and renewable energy

Another key theme of Botes’ visit was economic cooperation. The Deputy Minister highlighted the potential of renewable energy, as Hungary has advanced capabilities in solar, wind, and green hydrogen technologies. South Africa, with its growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, stands to benefit significantly from Hungary’s expertise in these areas.

In addition to renewable energy, the discussions also covered trade and investment opportunities, particularly in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. Botes called on Hungarian businesses to explore investment in South Africa, pointing out that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement provides a gateway for investors to expand their reach across the African continent.

“We have the rule of law, an independent judiciary, a very strong judiciary. We have very good foundations in terms of our financial structure, financial institutions, financial intelligence centre, actual banking institutions. So we probably meet the highest standards of corporate governance that businesses are looking for,”

Botes said.

Tourism in South Africa

The discussion also touched on tourism, with Botes describing South Africa as a “tourist paradise”. Despite the distance, he stressed that the country offers a unique blend of wildlife, culture and natural beauty that could attract Hungarian tourists. South Africa’s varied climate and wildlife, including the iconic Big Five, make it an ideal destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

Botes acknowledged that travel logistics can be challenging, but reassured Hungarian tourists that the value of the South African experience is worth the trip.

“There is indeed no direct flight from Hungary, but you can easily transfer in Dubai or Istanbul, and you get that value back when you arrive in South Africa. So the experience is worth the trip in my opinion, and South Africa is a good value-for-money destination for tourists, and the wildlife is unique,”

he said.

A future built on strong diplomatic foundations

Finally, Alvin Botes expressed optimism for the future of South Africa-Hungary relations. He stressed the mutual benefits of educational exchanges, trade opportunities and multilateral cooperation in peace diplomacy.

As Botes concluded,

“These partnerships are just the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between our two countries, and we look forward to a future that we can build together.”

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“Repugnance in human transactions became interesting to me” – interview with Alvin Roth

Alvin Roth at Corvinus Budapest Hungary (3)

Alvin Roth, a pioneer American economist of market design and Nobel Prize winner of Economic Sciences, has been working lately with Corvinus researcher Bíró Péter on kidney exchange theories. The Stanford professor participated in the CMID-2024 conference at Corvinus in early July and told us, among other things, why his academic interest has recently turned to ethical issues in market design. 

Alvin Roth interview

Your research has a lot of practical applications in our lives, like school applications or matching kidney donors and recipients. Are you driven as an economist by these questions by applying your theories to real life?

Alvin Roth: Well, economics is about real life. Economists are social scientists. We’re interested in how human beings coordinate with each other, cooperate, and compete. So even when we’re writing mathematical papers, we have at least in the back of our minds how it applies to the way people live their lives. And of course, market design is an engineering part of economics, we try to not just think about how we live our lives, but help build institutions that do what we want them to do.

The phenomenon of why human societies find certain transactions repugnant has long been a matter of scientific interest. In your lecture at the conference at Corvinus University, you examined two issues in more detail, randomized field experiments in the Econ job market, and kidney transplantation. Could you briefly summarize the results of your recent research on these two topics?

Alvin Roth: People usually have strong opinions based on little evidence about things they find repugnant. As an economist, I think that we should have good evidence when we make our decisions. And one way of that is to do experiments. But if you want to understand causality, you often need to have some randomness in your experiments. So it’s especially interesting to me that one of the things that sometimes people object to is randomizing treatments in experiments. There’s a natural feeling that it is unfair to treat some people one way and other people another way just because of randomization. In my opinion, experiments are one of the most useful tools for finding out why things happen. However, one reason we don’t see as many experiments as we should have is that people sometimes find experiments repugnant. 

Alvin Roth at Corvinus Budapest Hungary
Alvin Roth at the CMID conference at Corvinus. Source: Corvinus University, Budapest, Hungary

Transactions people find repugnant and express their moral or ethical concerns about, are very controversial. For instance, the European Parliament has just issued a statement that says they don’t think that donors of blood plasma should be paid. They think that countries should get all their blood plasma from unpaid donors. Now, Hungary is one of the places where blood plasma donors can be paid. And Hungary doesn’t have to import any blood plasma. They have enough domestically. But there are only five countries in the EU that have enough and they all pay plasma donors. The European countries that don’t pay plasma donors import plasma from the US, which exports plasma products because plasma donors can be paid in the US. So sometimes people’s feelings are contradictory. They would like that no one should be paid for plasma, but that there should be enough plasma. Those things don’t fit well together. And with kidneys, one of the big constraints we have is that it’s against the law just about everywhere in the world to pay a donor for a kidney. Corvinus researcher Bíró Peter is one of the leaders in working on kidney exchange theories about how you can get more transplants without paying donors.

Why has your academic interest recently turned to ethical issues in market design?

Alvin Roth: Sometimes the objections or the constraints on market designs are affected by ethical issues. For instance, we wouldn’t like a world where only rich people could get kidney transplants. When we talk about school choice, there have been questions in some of the cities about whether you can trade your priorities. So in most of the school districts I’ve worked with, if you want to put a child into a school and you already have a child who goes to that school, you get high priority. We tend to feel that parents should be able to drop their children off at school together. But some places allow people who don’t want their younger child to go to the same school as the older child to trade their priority to someone else. The question is, should we trade those? Some people thought that was like trading our children and you shouldn’t trade children. But we were able to convince them that it’s just about trying to find the right schools for children. So sometimes ethical intuitions can mislead us. We can do something better for the children by thinking through carefully and realizing that we’re not trading our children, we’re just trading their priorities. 

Alvin Roth at Corvinus Budapest Hungary university
Alvin Roth at the CMID conference at Corvinus. Source: Corvinus University, Budapest, Hungary

You have been writing the blog Market Design since 2008, and since then you have written almost every day a post. What motivated you to start this blog and what role does it play in your professional life?

Alvin Roth: I started it for my class. I wanted the students to know that the way to think of ideas for market design is not just to read papers in economics journals but to read the newspaper and follow why markets weren’t working well. Many of my blog posts are short comments on a newspaper about something in the world. Since I started, it’s also proved to be a useful tool for me to remember things. So, it’s a kind of intellectual diary, as well. I’m currently working on a book on controversial markets and I look at my blog posts for each chapter. Market Design blog is my memory for everything related to market design. 

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INTERVIEW – Diplomatic insights: Pakistan’s Ambassador discusses trade, education, and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Hungary

pakistan ambassador to hungary Asif Hussain Memon

Daily News Hungary had the honour of conducting a rich and lengthy interview with Pakistan’s Ambassador to Hungary, His Excellency Asif Hussain Memon. In this candid conversation, the Ambassador shared insights into Pakistan’s vibrant culture, its growing ties with Hungary, and his views on global geopolitical issues, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli situation.

Daily News Hungary: Before my interview, I asked people what they knew about Pakistan. They were generally aware of its location, but they didn’t know much more about it, even though it is one of the most populous countries in the world (6th), and it even has one of the 10 strongest militaries in the world. If you were to present 5 things that stand out about your country, what would they be?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Pakistan is a country with a rich heritage and a great future. It is cradle of one of the most ancient civilizations in the world, the Indus Valley civilization. It is the 6th most populous country in the world having 50 percent of its population below the age of 30. It has incredible people known for their warmth and hospitality, a diverse and breathtaking landscape with one of the highest mountains in the world and also deserts in the south. I must also mention the diversity in cuisine. It is hard to shortlist five things but I would say the people, history, culture, food and the geography make it stand out.

pakistan ambassador to hungary Asif Hussain Memon
His Excellency Asif Hussain Memon.

DNH: Today’s geopolitical situation is not exactly simple. How does Pakistan relate to Russia’s war against Ukraine?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Pakistan maintains excellent bilateral relations with both Russia and Ukraine. Pakistan and Russia relations are strengthened by high level visits, shared perspective and commonality of views. In case of Ukraine, it is important to note that Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba visited Pakistan in July 2023. It was the first-ever visit by a Ukrainian Minister to Pakistan country since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1993. Pakistan has always advocated for dialogue and diplomacy. We believe that the conflict can only be resolved through dialogue between the two parties. We are always ready to play part in promoting peace and stability.

DNH: Another important conflict that is much closer to you is the Israeli-Palestinian war?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Pakistan has consistently advocated for a two-state solution as the key to enduring peace in the Middle East, with a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question. We believe that a viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine should be established on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The current situation is Gaza is a catastrophe. Pakistan has repeatedly called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unlimited provision of humanitarian assistance and de-escalation of the tension in the region.

HE Ambasador Asif Hussain Memon Pakistan Embassy in Hungary
Photo: Embassy of Pakistan in Hungary

DNH: It is not so obvious to most that Pakistan has a nuclear arsenal. Why was this necessary, and what responsibility is there for countries with nuclear weapons?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Pakistan believes that any initiative on nuclear disarmament must take into account the vital security considerations of each and every State. Pakistan is committed to the goal of a nuclear weapons free world through the conclusion of a universal, verifiable and non-discriminatory, comprehensive convention on nuclear weapons. This objective can only be achieved as a cooperative and universally agreed undertaking, through a consensus-based process involving all the relevant stakeholders. 

DNH: I am also sure that the majority of Hungarians do not know that one of our largest companies, MOL, has a major role in Pakistan’s oil and gas industry?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Pakistan is rich in oil and gas sector and hence Hungarian company MOL has capitalized on the potential. MOL is a story of success for Hungarian companies. MOL has an investment of $500 million with $2.8 billion with its subsidiaries. MOL has remained an important feature in the bilateral relationship. MOL is celebrating 25 years of its business this year. In view of the potential in the hydrocarbon sector, I think it is high time that MOL expands its operations in Pakistan. 

DNH: Are there any other Hungarian companies and products that could prevail in your country?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: As our bilateral trade is increasing with a good pace, there is a great scope for Hungarian exporters to do business in Pakistan. Pakistan is a market of more than 220 million people, hence there is a lot of potential for Hungarian companies to invest in Pakistan. Another Hungarian company Vitafort is also doing great business in Pakistan in the field of animal feed, fisheries and aqua culture. Traditionally, Hungarian exports to Pakistan involve machinery, pharmaceutical products, medical apparatus and optical instruments. However, there is a great scope in investing in agriculture, livestock, fisheries.

DNH: What Pakistani products can you list that are available in Hungary?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: During the last 5 years the exports of Pakistan to Hungary have increased at an annualized rate of 15%, from $21.6 million in 2017 to $45 million in 2023.This shows increased interest of Pakistani investors and businessmen in the Hungarian market. The main exports included textile products, cotton, sports equipment and broadcasting equipment.  Among the famous Pakistani products available in Hungary are world famous Pakistani mangoes, basmati rice, spices and sports goods. Pakistan is known for manufacturing world class footballs which are used in all major tournaments in the world including the World Cups and EUFA.  

DNH: How do you assess the current relationship between the Hungarian and Pakistani governments?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Due to the special focus of the leadership of both countries, the current state of relationship between the both countries is excellent. I must say that Hungary’s “Look East” Policy and the visit of H.E Peter Szijjártó to Islamabad in April 2021 followed by first ever visit of our Foreign Minister to Budapest in 2023, the relationship has witnessed a monumental growth. Next year, we are also celebrating 60 years of establishment of diplomatic relations. The relationship is multifaceted and has grown in all spheres including political, trade and economic, cultural and people to people ties.

HE Ambasador Asif Hussain Memon budapest pakistan
Photo: Embassy of Pakistan in Hungary

DNH: Stipendium Hungaricum can be a strong link between the two countries in the long run. How many students have come to Hungarian universities in recent years? And what are the experiences of students who have completed the program?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: One of a very important feature in our relationship has been the “Stipendium Hungaricum” scholarship under which many Pakistani students come and study in high quality Hungarian universities. During the visit of our Foreign Minister to Hungary in February 2023, the Hungarian Government increased the quota for Pakistani students. There has been a very keen interest among the Pakistani students to study in Hungary. These students not only prove to be a bridge between our both countries but also play a significant role in promoting the image of Hungary.

DNH: There is a growing labour shortage in Hungary, which is increasingly being addressed by companies using Asian workers. Are Pakistanis also recruiting workers for Hungary? What is your experience?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Hungary’s economy is growing at an excellent pace due to which there is potential for skilled workers from Pakistan. The number of Pakistani workers in Hungary is not much but we are witnessing increased interest by Hungarian companies in hiring skilled Pakistani workers. I often visit some Hungarian companies who have employed a number of Pakistani workers and I get excellent feedback. Pakistan has a huge potential in offering skilled, semi-skilled workers to countries facing labour shortage.

DNH: Tourism is an important “product” for Hungary. Apart from Budapest, what Hungarian attractions can you recommend to Pakistanis? Why should they come to Hungary?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Hungary is renowned for its tourism. Budapest is a historical city with rich culture and great architecture. In Budapest, Buda castle, thermal baths, Heroes square, Fisherman Bastion and the majestic Hungarian parliament are jewel of the city.  Outside Budapest, Balaton is known for its beauty and landscape. Apart from these amazing places, the friendly people, relaxed atmosphere and excellent connectivity makes Hungary a must-see country in bucket list.

HE Ambasador Asif Hussain Memon budapest pakistan
Photo: Embassy of Pakistan in Hungary

DNH: Pakistan is not really considered a tourist destination at the moment. Why should we, Hungarians go to Pakistan? What are the five must-see tourist attractions for Hungarians visiting Pakistan?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: Pakistan has an amazing and diverse landscape. From the second highest mountain in the world, K-2 to a beautiful sea coast in Karachi and Gwadar and desert in Bahawalpur, it offers a lot for all types of tourism. Anyone who is planning to visit Pakistan, I must say that a visit to northern Pakistan is a must since the nature, beauty and mountains are unmatched. Every year, a large number of mountaineers and hikers visit northern Pakistan to climb highest mountains and enjoy breathtaking scenery.  Karachi is the biggest city and an economic hub which offers a mega city lifestyle. For history lovers, Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and other historical places would be a great option. Lahore is the cultural capital of Pakistan, having architecture from the Mughal era and a variety of cuisines. There are amazing sightseeing places like Swat, Malam Jabba for skiing, not to forget the delicious cuisines. 

DNH: Pakistani and Hungarian cuisine differ in many ways, but I am confident that there are Hungarian favourites. If you could choose any, what is the best Hungarian starter-course-dessert trio?

H.E. Ambassador Memon: There are several amazing Hungarian cuisines ranging from street food to high end restaurants with a lot of variety. Goulash soup is similar to Pakistani dish and very unique in taste. Similarly, Langos is a very popular. Then there is a large variety of light snacks which are very tasty. My favourite will be combination of Halaszle soup, and Dobos torte.

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Interview with Cynthia Mayer, Ambassador of Ecuador in Hungary on economic relations, Ecuadorian products in Hungary, politics, and more

Ambassador of Ecuador in Hungary

We at Daily News Hungary had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Her Excellency Ambassador Cynthia Mayer, Ambassador of Ecuador in Hungary (concurrent with Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia. Read our fascinating conversation below!

Daily News Hungary (DNH): You arrived in Hungary a few months ago. I would like to start by asking you how you feel about Budapest and the diplomatic community here.

Her Excellency (H. E.) Ambassador Cynthia Mayer: I’ve fallen in love with Hungary! The beauty of Budapest and the warmth of its people have made my time here truly special. I’m honoured to represent Ecuador in such a vibrant and welcoming country.  The diplomatic community in Budapest is incredibly diverse, offering a rich network that greatly enhances my work as an ambassador. The collaboration and exchange of ideas among diplomats here are invaluable, making it a dynamic environment to represent my country.

Ambassador of Ecuador in Hungary
Photo: Embassy of Ecuador

DNH: Before becoming Ambassador to Budapest, what were the most important stages in your career?

H. E.: With extensive experience in international trade, I’ve led successful export strategies, managed international supply chains, and represented Ecuador in key global markets. As the first female President of the National Federation of Exporters FEDEXPOR, I also founded OWIT Ecuador to empower women in international trade, fostering growth and international partnerships so that Ecuadorian women can be recognized as a key element in international trade.

DNH: Increasing Ecuador’s economic relations with Hungary was one of the main tasks of your mission. How are we doing in the region?

H. E.: Ecuador and Hungary benefit from a trade agreement between Ecuador and the European Union, which has strengthened our commercial ties and led to growing trade in recent years. However, we still face challenges such as promoting direct bilateral trade and mutual private investments to build stronger industries, create jobs, and achieve long-term benefits.

DNH: What Ecuadorian products can be found in Hungary, and what other products do you think might be in demand?

H. E.: The Hungarian market offers a diverse range of Ecuadorian products, from chocolate and fresh fruits like bananas and plantains to various processed foods such as sauces and snacks. Ecuador not only leads the banana market but is also making its mark on premium chocolates and healthy snacks in Hungary. Ecuadorian cacao is renowned for its aroma and quality, and many Hungarian brands use it to craft their chocolates. When it comes to snacks, Ecuador offers superfoods like gluten-free plantain chips, which are both delicious and nutritious. Ecuadorian roses and carnations are particularly renowned for their exceptional quality, lasting up to 30 days in vases, with larger blooms and a wide variety of colours.

Ambassador of Ecuador in Hungary
Photo: Embassy of Ecuador

DNH: You have given me an interesting economic statement. One of the highlights is that the statistics do not show the real presence of Ecuadorian products in Hungary because local distributors bring the goods from partners within the EU. What does this mean exactly?

H. E.: Bilateral trade statistics don’t fully capture the reality of Ecuadorian products in the Hungarian market. Many Ecuadorian goods enter Hungary through intra-European trade, often via importers in Germany, the Netherlands, or Spain. For example, the Hungarian banana imports from Ecuador don’t appear in direct statistics but actually, Hungary imported €66MM in 2023 from various European countries and in the market, you can find Ecuadorian bananas almost in all supermarkets and shops.

In the case of snacks or cocoa products, there is a growing market trend. Therefore, by establishing direct connections between Hungarian importers and Ecuadorian exporters, we could introduce a wider variety of products at more competitive prices, benefiting the final consumer.

DNH: Trade can also be interesting in the other direction. What Hungarian products are most likely to have a market in Ecuador?

H. E.: In the case of Hungarian products in Ecuador, this phenomenon doesn’t occur, allowing us to see a positive trade balance in favour of Hungary, with notable products such as Suzuki cars, pharmaceutical products and machinery. Our economies are complementary, not competitors, and we need each other to develop our industries. Starting in January 2024, thanks to the trade agreement between Ecuador and the European Union, Hungarian cars are now exempt from import duties in Ecuador. This greatly benefits Ecuadorian consumers and offers a competitive advantage for Hungarian products in the Ecuadorian market.

DNH: Moving from trade to politics, what is the current internal political situation in Ecuador? There were also reports of gang violence earlier this year. How do you see the current situation?

H. E.: The Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has taken decisive steps to combat international criminal mafias, which have increasingly destabilized the country. His administration declared an “internal armed conflict” against these groups, marking a significant escalation in Ecuador’s fight against organized crime. This declaration has been followed by concrete actions, including the delivery of advanced weapons to the national police and the labelling of over 20 criminal organizations as terrorist groups.

The Ecuadorian government has also implemented a series of reforms aimed at enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement, including plans to build new high-security prisons and increase surveillance measures through drones and cameras. Additionally, President Noboa has worked closely with international partners, particularly the United States and the European Union, to secure crucial support in the form of equipment, training, and intelligence sharing. One of the administration’s most notable achievements has been the successful capture of key leaders from prominent criminal gangs, which has disrupted their operations and demonstrated the government’s commitment to restoring security in Ecuador. Despite the challenges, these efforts have been well-received domestically and internationally, with most Ecuadorians expressing support for Noboa’s strong stance against crime.

DNH: What have been the most significant events between the Hungarian and Ecuadorian governments in recent years? What does the future hold? Are there any visits or plans for cooperation?

H. E.: The relationship between Hungary and Ecuador is flourishing, marked by a range of cooperative initiatives. Educational collaboration stands out, with Ecuador being a beneficiary of the Stipendium Hungaricum program. Recently, we signed several key agreements, including the Work and Holiday visa program, which offers young Hungarians and Ecuadorians the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and immerse themselves in each other’s cultures. Our countries are also committed to deepening cooperation in security, investment, and trade, further strengthening our bilateral ties.

DNH: Tourism is important for both countries. Most importantly, we have Budapest, and you have the Galápagos Islands. How can tourism between the two countries be boosted?

H. E.: Tourism can be enhanced in both Ecuador and Hungary through the promotion of our vibrant cultures and arts. This month, our embassy is hosting a photographic exhibition at the Ervin Szabo Library in Budapest that captures the biodiversity and natural wealth of Ecuador, highlighting its stunning landscapes, and unique flora and fauna. This type of event fosters cultural exchange and strengthens the ties between our two nations; plus it encourages tourism in a sustainable and responsible way.

DNH: If you were to highlight three tourist attractions in Hungary for your Ecuadorian friends, what would they be?

H. E.: The stunning Basilica of St. Stephen in Budapest, the picturesque Lake Balaton, and the historic Buda Castle district.

DNH: Latin American cuisine is a favourite among Hungarians, and I’m sure you already have some favourite Hungarian dishes. What are they?

H. E.: I have had the pleasure of discovering and enjoying some truly delightful Hungarian dishes. My favourites include palacsinta and Pörkölt. Additionally, I have a special appreciation for the exquisite Tokaj Aszú wine.

Ambassador of Ecuador in Hungary
Photo: Embassy of Ecuador

Read also:

INTERVIEW with Japan’s Ambassador to Budapest on Japanese investment in Hungary, the Ukraine war, culture and more

ono hikariko japanese ambassador to budapest

We at Daily News Hungary had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Her Excellency Ambassador Ono Hikariko, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary. Read the intriguing conversation below!

Daily News Hungary (DNH): You arrived in Budapest a few months ago, how do you feel being here and what are your first impressions of Hungarians?

Her Excellency (H. E.) Ambassador Ono Hikariko: I am honoured to serve as the Japanese Ambassador to Hungary, which has a long-standing friendship with Japan and is full of charms. I am also fascinated by living in the beautiful city of Budapest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ono hikariko japanese ambassador to budapest
Ono Hikariko, Japan’s ambassador to Budapest. Photo: Facebook/Nagykövet ONO Hikariko, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary

While in Budapest, I find it wonderful that music and art are deeply integrated into everyday life. The Hungarian people are full of warm hospitality. I also appreciate that people, including travellers, can get a safe and memorable experience in Hungary with reasonable precautions

DNH: Although the distance is great, Hungarians feel very close to the Japanese and have a great respect for them. What do you think about this?

H. E.: Japan and Hungary have maintained friendly bilateral relations for more than 150 years. It is worth noting that the Japanese government supported Hungary’s post-regime change reforms, and Japanese companies were among the first to enter the Hungarian market. We are proud of our track record in that Japan has always been a strong supporter of Hungary’s economic development in both the public and private sectors.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of Japanese language education in Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE). Thanks to such a long-standing friendly relation and the efforts of our predecessors, the Hungarian people have developed a deep interest in Japan and its culture, and are eager to further their understanding.

DNH: Japanese investment is a major contributor to Hungary’s economy. What trends do you see? Will more Japanese companies come to Hungary in the near future?

H. E.: I am pleased to note that Suzuki cars, a company that had been in investment negotiations even before the regime change and commenced manufacturing shortly thereafter, are now affectionately referred to as “our car” in Hungary. Currently there are about 180 Japanese companies active in Hungary, predominantly in the manufacturing sector and particularly within the automotive industry. Given the concentration of EV production in Hungary, there are numerous Japanese manufacturers of EV-related components.

As Hungary boasts a substantial number of talented and highly skilled individuals, I believe that Hungary will continue to be an attractive destination for Japanese investment in research and development, start-ups, and other high value-added innovative sectors.

Additionally, the popularity of Japanese cuisine has been rising recently, with an increasing number of restaurants serving Japanese food in Hungary. I welcome this development as another means to strengthen the relations between our two countries.

DNH: What kind of Hungarian companies can establish themselves in Japan? Which Hungarian products do the Japanese buy?

ono hikariko japanese ambassador to budapest
Ono Hikariko, Japan’s ambassador to Budapest. Photo: Facebook/Nagykövet ONO Hikariko, Ambassador of Japan to Hungary

H. E.: Japan aims to become “the best country in the world in which to do business” by actively promoting foreign direct investment through various incentives, including financial support and expedited procedures.

Particular attention is being given to the fields of semiconductors, digital transformation (DX), green transformation (GX), and bio-healthcare. There is a significant potential for collaboration with Hungarian companies that possess outstanding technologies and expertise in areas such as IT and green technologies. In particular, start-ups offer promising opportunities for bilateral investment.

Hungarian products popular in Japan primarily include food items such as wine and foie gras, and crafts like Herend and Zsolnay tableware. Recently, Hungarian honey has also gained popularity. Given the Japanese affinity for charming (Kawaii) stuff, I personally believe that Miska jugs may become popular in Japan.

DNH: What is your opinion on the relationship between the governments of the two countries?  What meetings have been held recently and what meetings are expected in the near future?

H. E.: On May 21, 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó visited Japan and held meetings with the Japanese Foreign Minister, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

During the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations, the situation in Ukraine, and regional affairs including in East Asia, and agreed to continue the close bilateral discussions. During the meetings with the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, respectively, a Memorandum of Cooperation on cooperation and exchange of information in the field of nuclear energy, and a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of water management were also signed. The Japanese government intends to continue exchanges with Hungary at various levels.

I am also confident to expect that the opening of the new Consulate in Osaka scheduled for this year and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan will greatly contribute to further strengthening our bilateral relations.

DNH: There is a war going on in the neighboring country and the world is completely divided on this matter. The Hungarian Government believes that Ukraine should not be given weapons, that it should not be helped, and that peace is needed at all costs. The Western countries, on the other hand, are helping Ukraine against the invading Russians precisely so that they can defend themselves. Where does Japan stand on this issue?

H. E.: As we emphasized at the “Summit on Peace in Ukraine” in Switzerland, Japan’s position is that “just and lasting peace” should be realized on the basis of the principles of international law, including the UN Charter, and that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo through force or coercion must not be justified.

We respect that the Hungarian government has so far taken in Ukrainian refugees, provided medical assistance to displaced people, offered free train tickets and subsidized companies that employ them. Japan has been cooperating with Hungary in providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Japan’s position that it will strongly promote support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia remains unchanged, and we intend to continue our discussions with Hungary, which is a NATO and EU member state. At the same time, we aim to respond to the situation in Ukraine in cooperation with like-minded countries in the world.

DNH: How stable is the situation in your region, with North Korea, Russia and China as counter-poles?

H. E.: The security of Europe, the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific region are inextricably linked, and Prime Minister Kishida has consistently asserted that “Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow”. We welcome the fact that many countries, including the European countries, share this view and are showing increased interest and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

Recent developments in military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK will not only lead to a further deterioration of the situation in Ukraine, but are also seriously concerning in terms of their impact on the security of the region surrounding Japan. Any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East and South China Seas by force is unacceptable.

In response to this challenging security environment, Japan has been working to achieve a budget level of 2% of GDP of the combined budget for fundamental reinforcement of defense capabilities and complementary initiatives, and has also been strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries. As part of these efforts, most recently, officers from the Japanese Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defence Forces visited Hungary to observe NATO’s Vigorous Warrior 2024 Multinational medical exercises.

DNH: Leaving politics aside, let’s talk about Japanese culture. Suffice it to mention haiku, Japanese gardens or even kimono in dress. Which aspects of your culture have been most adopted by Hungarians, and why do you think you have so many followers in Hungary?

H. E.: Cultural exchange is a vital aspect of the Japan-Hungary relationship. In recent years, a diverse range of Japanese culture has gained popularity in Hungary, such as Manga, Anime, Japanese cuisine, and Sake. At the ‘Japan Day’ event held at the Museum of Ethnography in June this year, a variety of programs were organized, including traditional Japanese musical performance (using Japanese traditional music instruments such as Shamisen and Koto), martial arts, kimono dressing, tea ceremonies, traditional handicrafts, Japanese swords, cosplay, and J-POP. I was impressed by the large number of Hungarian visitors, who showed great enthusiasm for Japanese culture.

I believe that the emotional bond between Japan and Hungary transcends geographical distance. The shared cultural heritage and the spirit of mutual understanding and respect may be what attracts the two nations to each other. We sincerely hope that the people-to-people exchanges between our countries will continue to deepen through cultural exchanges.

Both the Embassy and myself will continue to share information about Japan and Japan-Hungary exchanges on our social media platforms. We cordially invite Daily News Hungary readers to follow us there.

DNH: Japanese gastronomy doesn’t need to be introduced to anyone, but how familiar are people in Japan with Hungarian food?

H. E.: Prior to my arrival, I had the opportunities to taste authentic Hungarian meals prepared by Hungarian chefs at a restaurant in Tokyo. I found that Hungarian cuisine appeals well to Japanese tastes. 

Hungary’s diverse food culture, including the Tokaj wine and Gulyas soup, is well known in Japan. Foie gras dishes are particularly popular, and much of the foie gras consumed in Japan comes from Hungary. 

I would like to promote Hungary’s diverse food tradition and café culture on the Embassy’s Facebook page and other media platforms.

DNH: When it comes to Hungarian food, which soup-main dish-dessert trio do you like the most?

H. E.: I’m a big fan of Gulyás and other Hungarian soups. As to main course, I prefer either Töltött Káposzta or Paprikás Csirke. Desserts are hard to choose from since there are so many delicious options, but I particularly like Palacsinta, Beigli, and Kürtőskalács, specially from the street vendors.

DNH: Our last question: Budapest is by far the most popular tourist destination in Hungary. You have probably visited several other regions, which three rural attractions would you recommend to your friends if they were to come here?

H. E.: I’ve only been here for about four months, so I’m on a journey to explore the charms of various regions in Hungary. Of the places I’ve visited so far, I’ve been particularly impressed by the beauty of Tihany around Lake Balaton and I also have fond memories of visiting wineries and tasting wine in Tokaj. 

My family will be visiting Hungary this summer, and we plan to explore some other destinations together. I’ll share my third favorite place with you at another time in the future.

Read also:

Interview with Hungarian university student who won the Olympics in Paris

Dávid Nagy university student Olympics Paris

Last weekend, Dávid Nagy, a student of the Faculty of Economics and Management, won gold in Paris as a member of the épée team, becoming the 20th Olympic champion of BME. The editor of the university’s official website spoke to him after he returned home.

Before the Olympics, how much chance did you see of winning the team gold?

The last period was not so rich in success. After our Olympic qualification was secure, the results didn’t come as much as before, but I think it was mainly because the previous period was very tough and the focus was a bit off the team, we were more focused on the individual performance. So that was a little bit worrying for the team, but the international rivals are so close to each other in terms of quality, the outcome of a bout depends so much on the form of the moment, that everything was possible from 1st to 8th place. The preparation went well, the timing of the form did too, we kind of starved starved ourselves for this success. I hadn’t calculated the odds beforehand, I don’t think the others had either, but we had a good feeling about it, we were relaxed during the days before the tournament, bme.hu wrote.

In the final against Japan, you were the one to increase the lead to the biggest, five points, but eventually it was as close as it coud be. Did it occur to you at 14:9 that this margin might break your opponent, just as the French couldn’t stand up to you in the semi-final?

Unfortunately, in an Olympic championship final, there is no such thing as a big enough advantage. The Japanese were very tough opponents, we always had close, tactical matches with them, every single hit was important. So at that time, we were so far away from the end that we couldn’t slow down or think about the end. We were just thinking about adding one more point. We know them so well, it was likely that they would strike back. We had so many similar matches with them.

Nagy Dávid párbajtőrcsapat

What was going through your mind when you came in?

It was particularly difficult because I hadn’t fenced at the Olympics before, so I practically became an Olympian right in the middle of the final. I was doing well in the warm-up, but it’s quite different to do it live, and I hadn’t done that for a long time. Even though I felt that I might be good, there was still a feeling of uncertainty, because I didn’t have the chance to get into the rhythm. And only a half-minute acclimatisation could have lost the gold medal.

There are other athletes from BME at the Olympics, kayaker Ádám Varga is also a medal contender. Did you meet him in the Olympic village?

No, we just missed each other, the kayakers have only just arrived in Paris.

How was the arrival back home?

As medallists we got a few more days out, there was a ceremony at the Park of Champions, otherwise quite a long programme in the heat, and we got our turn at the very end, around 8pm. But the people were waiting for us, and as I saw a lot of Hungarian flags at the final, there were a lot of Hungarians there too. Back home, from the airport we went straight to the Kopaszi dam for a reception. The fans listened to us recalling the experience, they came to ask for photos and signatures. It was nice to feel that so many people appreciate what we’ve achieved, that this really is a national cause.

Nagy Dávid párbajtőrcsapat

How do you balance your studies with sport?

For a long time I felt I was doing well, I had the balance, but during the qualification period it was quite difficult, so last year my studies have taken a back seat. I didn’t postpone a semester, but I went from state funding to having to pay my tuition fee. During this period fencing required almost full focus. I still have three semesters left, including professional practice, which I will try to complete with more effort.

You should obviously continue fencing, as there could be at least one more Olympics in your career. Do you have any plans for further on, hopefully with a BME degree in your pocket?

For now I’m concentrating on fencing, I don’t foresee the post-graduation period yet. All I know is that I would love to try my hand in the business world.

Read also:

  • Hungary in the world’s top in Olympic gold medals per capita – read more HERE
  • Hungarians won Olympic silver and bronze medals in kayak-canoe – PHOTOS and details in THIS article

UK Ambassador to Hungary Paul Fox about King Charles III, Brexit, Ukraine war and many more – Interview

UK Ambassador to Hungary Paul Fox1

We did an interview with His Excellency Paul Fox, King Charles III’s ambassador to Hungary, in which we talked about current issues like the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Pécs Pride, Brexit and the work of the British Council in Budapest. The ambassador even shared his favourite Hungarian dishes and a traditional Hungarian ‘dream menu’.

DNH: You live in a picturesque palace in Buda and are a respected member of society. Tell us a bit about Budapest through the eyes of an ambassador.

H.E. Paul Fox: It is a privilege to be the British Ambassador in Budapest and in Hungary generally. The city is one of the most beautiful in the world, the country is at the heart of Europe and the role is brilliant. I have found my hosts to be more than welcoming and the diplomatic community vibrant and supportive. The residence is beautiful, and we are custodians of an important historic building, though I wouldn’t call it a palace.

DNH: Have you had the chance to explore rural Hungary? Which country town would you take your friends to when visiting?

H.E. Paul Fox: I try to visit different parts of Hungary regularly, getting out of Budapest at least once a month. My most recent excursion was to Pécs, where I took part in the Pride march. It is impossible to single out any one town. Each has its owns charms whether it be Sopron, Szeged, Debrecen or Székesfehérvár.

UK Ambassador to Hungary Paul Fox1

DNH: It is well known that many Hungarians have emigrated to the UK. How significant is the Hungarian minority over there? Has their number now stopped rising since Brexit? How many British people live in Hungary?

H.E. Paul Fox: Our departure from the EU brought an end to the free movement of people between the UK and the EU. This obviously has an impact. However the Hungarian community remains significant, numbering around 170,000 who preserved their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

It is safe to say that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU came as a shock to many. However, a significant proportion of Brexit supporters may not have fully believed that the process would actually go through. Separation is always challenging, but things can smooth out with time.

DNH: How would you describe the UK-EU relationship now? And how is the rapport between Budapest and London?

H.E. Paul Fox: The agreement of the Windsor Framework, which smoothed out arrangements over Northern Ireland, has improved the relationship. Both sides have built on this by agreeing UK’s rejoining of the Horizon programme which will increase scientific and technological cooperation. The overall point is that the relationship between the UK and EU will always be important and will remain vibrant.

As an EU member and NATO ally, the UK views the relationship with Hungary as important, especially now that we both face the challenge posed by Russia to our security with its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. We might not always agree on all matters but we both remain staunch partners of the Euro-Atlantic alliance, and we are keen to increase our mutual prosperity and foster strong people-to-people links.

DNH: As we wrote earlier: “London has fallen, there’ll be a general election on July 4, there’s an Islamist organisation, and the country’s culture is changing,” Zoltán Kovács, the state secretary for international relations and communications said, adding that much the same was true in Germany and France and everywhere illegal migration was prevalent. “There is a war going on next door. The Hungarian government is desperate for peace, but Ukraine understandably does not want to lose any of its territory. What is your government’s position?

H.E. Paul Fox: Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. It is the defining struggle of our generation. The UK and our international partners stand united in condemning the Russian government’s reprehensible actions. They are an egregious violation of international law and the UN Charter. This should matter to every country, no matter where they are in the world.

DNH: Let’s move on to economic issues. What Hungarian goods can Brits find on supermarket shelves?

H.E. Paul Fox: In the UK, a variety of Hungarian goods are available, reflecting the rich culinary and cultural heritage of Hungary. These include foods and beverages, such as paprika, essential for Hungarian dishes like goulash, sausages and meats, like Gyulai and Csabai kolbász, and wines and spirits, such as Tokaji wine and pálinka.

DNH: There are many British firms in Hungary. What are the three biggest British companies present in our country?

H.E. Paul Fox: The UK is among the largest foreign investors in Hungary. British companies have carried out nearly $6 billion worth of investments in Hungary, employing over 50,000 people. There are around 15 major UK investors operating in Hungary. What do we mean under “big”? The size of a company can be measured by different factors, such as registered capital, turnover, or the number of employees, to name a few. Significant players include Tesco, Shell, GSK and Unilever.

tesco
Shashank Verma/ Unsplash

DNH: The British Council contributes significantly to Budapest’s rich diversity. Can you introduce the institution and tell us about its mission in your own words? What are the major upcoming cultural events the Hungarian public can attend?

H.E. Paul Fox: British Council is the UK’s international culture and education organisation. Our bilateral relationship with Hungary is based on strong people-to people relationships where the British Council plays a vital part of UK soft power by finding ways to connect, build understanding and trust through the Arts, the English language and by brokering creative and collaborative partnerships between the people of Hungary and the UK. The British Council’s three key activities Arts amplification, English Teaching and Examination are all present in Hungary and contribute to the above mission, mainly targeting the youth and young people. In their language school they offer a range of English language courses for individuals of all ages and proficiency levels. They provide learners with the opportunity to improve their English language proficiency and achieve their language learning goals.

The British Council Hungary administers globally recognised English language exams, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Cambridge English exams. These exams serve as accurate measures of language proficiency and provide individuals with internationally recognised qualifications.

They co-organise cultural events such as exhibitions, performances, and film screenings to promote cultural understanding. They offer educational opportunities, share the UK’s expertise and innovation, and bring partners together to work on collaborative projects. Their Youth Leadership Programme supports young people to gain skills to contribute to trust-building and cohesion in their societies and respond to contemporary challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence.

DNH: King Charles III is a regular visitor to Szeklerland and popular among Hungarians. What virtues of the new monarch would you highlight?

H.E. Paul Fox: His Majesty has learnt so much from his mother, Her late Majesty. Above all he appreciates the vital role the monarch plays in providing stability and continuity to the United Kingdom.

DNH: Hungarian hospitality begins and ends with a huge feast. What are your favourite Hungarian dishes (starter, main course, dessert)?

H.E. Paul Fox: Hungarian cuisine is truly delightful. For a starter, I enjoy a bowl of goulash soup (gulyásleves), rich with meat and paprika. My favourite main course is stuffed cabbage rolls (töltött káposzta), and for dessert, I can’t resist some somlói galuska, a delicious trifle made with sponge cake, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

Read also:

  • Interview with South Korean Ambassador Hong on foreign policy, investment in Hungary – click HERE for more
  • Interview with Turkish Ambassador Karanis on the Turkish-Hungarian relations – follow THIS link for more

Kazakh student: Budapest is safe, public transport is heavenly, the city is the perfect choice – INTERVIEW

woman with phone expats in Budapest

Malika Sagynayeva came from the Kazakh city of Oskemen, which is more than 5,500 km from the BME. Hungary’s top technical university asked her how she feels in Budapest, at the BME, whether he would recommend studying here to other Kazakh students. Here is their interview with her.

Budapest is safe

Which course and year are you studying?

I’m from Kazakhstan, and a city called Oskemen, it’s in the eastern part. It’s close to the borders with Russia and China. It’s my third year. I’m studying architecture, engineering, integrated masters like OTM, so five years program.

What is your experience of how safe a city Budapest is?

I think Budapest is quite safe, except some districts on the outskirts of the city.  But otherwise, I think it’s really, for me, I feel comfortable and safe here.

How good is the campus location? What means of transport do you use to get to university?

I really like campus because it’s just next to the Danube River and the view from here is really beautiful. The area is quite clean, and also easily accessible by public transportation.

Mostly, I use metro, because I live in a nice district between Nagyvárad square and Semmelweis Cliniks, so first I take M3, then change to M4 to get here.

Budapest metro
Photo: facebook.com/bkkbudapest

Public transport in Budapest is something you can fall in love with

Are you satisfied with public transport?

I’m in love with Budapest public transportation. I think it’s one of the best in Europe. And it’s quick, it’s convenient, clean, also everything is always on time, so I really love it.

Do you cycle around the city? Do you cycle to campus if you are satisfied with the amount of bike storage?

Actually, I cycle only in the Margaret Island, mostly, because I’m a bit afraid to cycle around the city. Cycle lines are really close to car roads, and even in some places these bicycle roads, they overlap with car roads, so I’m kind of a bit afraid. But I think if there would be more stations next to our university, and also if the roads, like bicycle roads, would be a bit safer, then I would probably come here by bicycle, like the majority of the time.

How do you like campus garden?

Comfortable and cosy city

It’s peaceful and beautiful here just after Some stress from university you just go there what kind of I will I don’t know, and you just go outside and just relax and I don’t know sitting on the grass Yeah, having a picnic. I think it’s beautiful.

Budapest European city break
Source: depositphotos.com

How hard was it to get used to Budapest?

At first you feel a bit lost, as I think everyone does in a new environment, in a new city, but Budapest is not too big and not too small. I think it’s the perfect city, especially for students. I think it’s a very comfortable and very cosy city. I think you will already start after few weeks understanding every road, every single public transportation, they are convenient, and then everything will be easy.

Perfect for students

Why would you advise Kazakh students to study at the BME?

Yeah, as I mentioned before, Hungary, I think, especially Budapest, is the perfect city for students. And if you want to your life to begin in Europe, I think it’s like a perfect start here, because life here is quite more affordable than in other countries. And people are friendly. As I told, the city, the public transportation, everything is perfect. I’ve been in other European countries, and cities, and think, it’s the best place. I think BME, it’s really a good technical university. If you want to become a really nice engineer, then it would be a nice choice, yeah. But you should study hard here, yeah.

Read also:

Exclusive Interview with Hungarian TikTok Sensation Livi

Exclusive Interview with Hungarian TikTok Sensation Livi

With an unrivalled charm and a keen eye for the comedic elements of everyday life, Hungarian TikTok sensation, Livi, offers a humorous glimpse into the unique and uproariously funny nuances of the Hungarian language. In this exclusive interview, we delve into her journey of turning the bizarre yet hilarious idioms and phrases of her mother tongue into viral TikTok videos, her experiences of growing up in the United States while straddling two different cultures, and what Hungarian identity means to her.

To start off, can you tell us how your TikTok/Instagram journey began, and how long you have been a creator? How did you discover your unique voice or niche on these platforms?

I’ve been a creator since about late 2020, and it has been a crazy journey! I started off just posting funny anecdotes from my life, but it wasn’t long before I shared my Hungarian background and captured a Hungarian audience. I don’t think I ever realised how interesting my Hungarian speaking skills were to native Hungarians. I grew up in California where most of my classmates spoke a different language at home, so it was completely normal to me to be bilingual and experience a different culture at home than in school. Once I spoke in Hungarian on a video, Hungarians were enthralled with my accent and asked me to continue. I now predominantly post videos in Hungarian on my TikTok with English subtitles. I love that my platform has helped me keep in touch with my Hungarian community and simultaneously promote language learning.

How did the idea of creating these hilarious Hungarian TikTok videos come about, and what was your breakthrough viral content? 

Thank you for thinking they’re hilarious! My breakthrough viral content was a “tell me” trend where I asked viewers to share moments where they caught others speaking about them in another language. I then proceeded to tell a story about how some Hungarians were behind me and my friends in a cafe, saying that we were a group of “stupid American girls.” I proceeded to place everyone’s order in Hungarian in front of them and they stopped chatting pretty quickly after that. In terms of creating content, I think I see a lot of my life experiences through two lenses and that duality helps me see quirky things about the Hungarian language that maybe Hungarians sometimes don’t see. For example, I’ll very often translate Hungarian phrases to English since they just capture the moment better than an English phrase, but, in doing this, I realise how funny it can sound to English speaking ears.

@liv_iathan I’m so ready for these stories #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – LIVI

Could you share a bit of background story of your family’s move to the States? Where do they come from originally? Do you still have relatives living in Hungary? 

My mother is from Budapest, and my father was from California. My father was a friend of my moms cousin, who already lived in California at the time, and they met when my mom was visiting once. My mom’s parents moved out to the States a few years after my parents got married as I was on the way. My father passed away when I was a year old, so I spent the majority of my time with my maternal grandparents, who only spoke Hungarian. Hungarian was technically my first language as a result. We no longer have relatives in Hungary but we do have many family friends we still visit.

When did you first visit Hungary, and what were your first impressions? And despite your Hungarian roots, did you experience any culture shock?

Well, I was first of all shocked to hear Hungarian all around me! It was mind boggling, because, for me, this language only existed in a home environment up until that point. We would sometimes meet Hungarians out and about in grocery stores, but I had never in my life been able to walk into a store and ask a clerk, in Hungarian, where an item I was looking for was. It was so empowering to know that, thanks to knowing the language and growing up with the culture, even if I was thousands of miles from my physical home, I was still home. In terms of culture shock, I don’t think I experienced as much of it as the group I was traveling with did. My first trip to Hungary was with ReConnect Hungary, a Hungarian birthright trip for young adults, and most of the cohort had never even been exposed to Hungarian culture prior to the trip. I will say that paying to use the bathroom or paying for toilet paper surprised me, though.

Do you have any plans for another visit to Hungary in the near future?

I’m dying to visit! I haven’t been to Hungary since 2018, and now that the pandemic has ended, I’d really love to visit. I’m also very excited to take my fiancé, Torrey, as well. I think I’ve talked his ear off about it at this point but he’s ecstatic to go, so my chatter has paid off!

What do you believe are the most unique traits/strengths of Hungarians? Additionally, how do Americans and Hungarians differ in their approaches to life, mentality and way of thinking?

Hungarians have a multitude of unique strengths: their pride in their rich cultural heritage, their resilience throughout history, their hospitality towards guests and eagerness to share cultural food, their strong emphasis on maintaining interconnectedness with family and supporting one another, the list goes on. In terms of differences between Hungarians and Americans, I’m not even sure where to start. In terms of communication, Hungarians take their time forming friendships and may take awhile to trust someone before being open and honest with them, whereas Americans will make friends very quickly. Generally, towards strangers, Hungarians are quite reserved and don’t express themselves as much as Americans do outright. I generally lean towards a Hungarian approach in that regard and, as a result, have had to really train myself over the years to be more open when speaking with other Americans.

Another key difference is dining etiquette: Hungarians have a more formal dining etiquette, where dining together in any capacity is a social event, while Americans will have a more casual approach. American cuisine is also more diverse, incorporating food from many different cultures, while Hungarian cuisine predominantly reflects Central European influences. Again, the list goes on and anyone who has visited both Hungary and the US will quickly be able to rack up a list of cultural differences themselves as well. Personally, since I was raised with both cultures, I’ve found myself adopting a blend of both Hungarian and American values as I’ve grown up.

Hungary is a pocket-sized country thousands of miles away from the US. For those who have never heard of it, how would you describe the country and its people in brief? 

Hungary is a culturally rich and historically significant country with many amazing attractions such as thermal baths, beautiful architecture, delicious food, and a vibrant community. Hungarians are very hospitable people and love connecting with others. They take great pride in their country and show their affection through sharing their culture, cuisine, and language with foreigners.

What does your Hungarian identity mean to you?

My Hungarian identity is a huge part of who I am as a person. As I’ve gotten older, my life experiences have proven to me that my values are a unique blend of two cultures converging. My Hungarian background has given me a deep appreciation for history, age-old traditions, family recipes, and my friends and family. Simultaneously, my American background has helped me embrace individuality, diversity, and a different set of traditions and celebrations. My experiences remind me that identity isn’t static, it’s dynamic and constantly evolving as we move through life.

Can you think of something ‘typically Hungarian’ during your upbringing?

Doilies everywhere. Vegeta and paprika in nearly everything. A big plastic bag containing neatly tied smaller plastic bags. Otthonkák (grandma housecoats). The list goes on, and I’d have it no other way.

@liv_iathan Been a minute since one of these 😂 #inhungarywesay #hungary #phrases #languages #languagelearning #hungarian ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

We’ve noticed on your page that you have a passion for cooking and baking. What’s your go-to Hungarian dish? Are your American and foreign friends fond of Hungarian flavours? 

Oh, I love this question, thank you for noticing that! I know I don’t post about it very often, but I’ve been meaning to share more of my cooking and baking lately. My go-to dish is always csirke paprikás (chicken paprikash), it’s just incredibly easy, delicious, and hearty. My American and foreign friends all love Hungarian food, and they’re always excited to try anything I make. It has particularly been a lot of fun introducing Torrey to all the different dishes, and, so far, he loves everything he’s tried. I haven’t served him kocsonya (aspic) yet, though, so the jury is still out.

Can you imagine moving to Hungary one day, whether for a short or long term? And if not, why?

At this point, I don’t think I could live there long term, just because my career aspirations, my friends, and my family are all in California. I also do get homesick to return to the States after I’ve been away for a while. Although, if possible, I would love to spend a month every year or even my summers in Hungary in the future.

Looking ahead, what does the future hold for you, and what are you most excited about?

Well, I’ll be getting married this year, so I’m very excited for that! I’m also currently job hunting for a role in software engineering after having taught myself software skills for the past few years, so I am excited to begin working in tech. More generally, I’m excited to continue spending my time with Torrey, my mom, and my dog, and hopefully visiting Hungary later this year.

Interview with South Korean Ambassador Hong on foreign policy, investment in Hungary and more

Dr. Kyoduk Hong, South Korea Ambassador to Hungary

Our latest interviewee is His Excellency Dr Hong Kyu Dok, Ambassador of South Korea to Hungary. During the interview, we discussed the situation in North and South Korea, Korean investments in Hungary and many other topics. Read the first interview of the year:

Daily News Hungary (DNH): Having lived in Hungary for quite a while, could you tell us a bit about your experience? What characteristics stand out about the Hungarian people, and how would you describe life for a Korean national in Budapest?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: I have been living in Budapest for about 11 months now. I feel grateful and am always amazed by the way Hungarians greet me and my wife. I am so delighted that many Hungarians have shown their great interests in Korean culture. I sincerely thank them from the bottom of my heart. The Korean population living in Hungary has increased rapidly. Currently, we have almost 7,000 Korean nationals living here. If we include the 90-day visa waiver holders, the number goes up to more than 10,000. They enjoy being here. The safe environment is the thing they like most, and friendly attitude toward Koreans are remarkable. Compared with densely-populated Seoul, many people from Korea think that life here is pleasant and happier. Your culture that respects the elderly and family remind me of Korea in old days, and we feel at home since we have many commonalities.

DNH: South Korea is a major investor in Hungary, consistently ranking in the top three and employing tens of thousands of people. What do you believe is Hungary’s allure? Why do so many Korean companies come here?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: About 310 Korean companies are investing in Hungary and many more are interested in coming to Hungary. You may wonder why. Your policy incentives including low corporate tax surely attract Korean companies. However, a qualified workforce as well as loyalties and strong sense of responsibility are major reasons, and those Korean managers are looking forward to having more Hungarians. Supply chain network and good connectivity towards European market seems to be strong incentives for Korean managers, too.

DNH: This close business partnership not only fosters economic ties but also presents promising prospects for the tourism industry. Despite the geographical distance, direct flights facilitate travel. In what areas can the collaborative development between the two nations be further explored?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: Seven direct flights per week between Seoul and Budapest seems to be a strong asset for expanding bilateral relations. Currently, EV-battery related companies are prominent among Korean investors. However, I see there is room for more development in such areas including health care industry, cosmetics, animation and filming, food distribution and gastronomy business. Also, Arms industry as well as Aerospace, AI and Robotics of the futrue technology seem very promising areas that both can benefit from each other.

DNH: Focusing on tourism, could you recommend three must-visit places in South Korea for Hungarian tourists? And what are three Hungarian tourist attractions you’d suggest to your South Korean friends? 

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: Busan, Jeju and Seorak Mountain are my favorite places to recommend to my Hungarian friends. If I add one more place, I strongly ask you to visit the De-militarised Zone near Panmunjeom, a bordering place where North and South Korea maintains its strong military presence after the Korean War ended in 1953. It is only less than an hour drive from downtown Seoul. My recommendation for three attraction points for Korean visitors will be Tokaj wineries, Hévíz, Hot Springs near Lake Balaton, and Szeged, the sunniest city in the South. Most Koreans only visit Budapest and I would like to convince them to look around the countryside.

Dr. Hong Kyu Dok, South Korea Ambassador to Hungary
Dr. Hong Kyudok, South Korea Ambassador to Hungary and Alpár Kató, owner of Daily News Hungary

DNH: South Korea boasts one of the strongest economies in the world, yet the birth rate is alarmingly low. How might this be addressed, and could the Hungarian family support model serve as a potential example for your country?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: Regarding the low birth rate, we have failed to counter this trend despite spending billions of dollars to cope with this worrisome situation. However, we now understand that subsidising the mother alone cannot solve the problem. We are looking closely at the Hungarian cases and to learn how CSOK measures made differences. Restoring family values and education seems key to success. However, in Korea, single housing comprises 43% and life seems very competitive to get better education and a quality job. Children start competition as early as pre-school age. The cost for private tutoring is usually more expensive than you earn monthly. That is why the birth rate is around 0.7 and even getting lower. We feel that demographic challenge is a security issue and needs to be reformed urgently. Therefore, Hungarian best practices are openly discussed at Parliament and the policy circle.

DNH: To consider having children, young couples need a secure future. South Korea is a peaceful country, but it is surrounded by China, which is besieging the status quo of the US, a belligerent Russia and North Korea, which poses an open threat. Japan is a refreshing exception. How do you assess the country’s current geopolitical situation?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: South Korea has survived despite more than 931 foreign invasions. Korea maintains an open-door policy to export everything we have to almost every country in the world. In order to protect ourselves from nuclear and conventional provocations from North Korea, South Korea had to rely on the United States by strengthening a security alliance since the Korean War in 1950. We find that tri-lateral cooperation among U.S. Japan, and South Korea will be a keystone for securing ourselves. We never forget that during the Communist invasion 75 years ago, 22 countries send their forces and medical teams to rescue us to keep our freedom and democracy and more than 62 countries provided us with financial support. Korea embraces the Indo-Pacific Strategy and strives to contribute further to those people suffering from the scourge of war. Currently, the geopolitical situation creates huge challenges and difficulties, however, Korea is expanding its relations with the EU and NATO countries and seeks a strategic partnership with those countries including Hungary.

DNH: Amidst the constant readiness for geopolitical challenges, South Korea’s strong defense industry is indisputable. Our close ally, Poland, has recently shown increased interest in purchasing Korean combat vehicles and equipment.

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: We assisted Poland to equip themselves with arms to defend itself from potential threats. Our assistance is different from others since we can have them jointly develop arms together with us. I hope that we can jointly develop with Hungary if opportunity is given. We started from scratch in 1960s and are now the 6th largest arms exporter. I hope we can share our experiences and knowledges with Hungarians.

DNH: Considering the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Hungary’s neighbour, how do you perceive the war, and are you providing any assistance to Kyiv?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: I am afraid that the Ukrainian War will not be over soon. I hope that a peace proposal will be initiated soon to stop the suffering of the innocent people. As the Economist Robert Muggah precisely suggested, investing to build a post-conflict war zone must be a high priority. According to his study, 72% of the county after a cease-fire fell into another crisis very next year. In order to avoid this unfortunate pattern, the international community must make sure that real investment of reconstruction must be guaranteed by all means. South Korea increased its ODA twice to Ukraine and provided the K-600 mine-clearing vehicles and ambulances for evacuating wounded soldiers from the frontline. More aid will be made to replace electricity transformers to provide heat and light during the cold winter.

DNH: Returning to Hungary, higher education collaboration stands out as an excellent aspect of Korean-Hungarian relations. What makes Hungarian universities so appealing to Korean students?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: Hungarian universities, particularly medical schools, music and dance and design schools are superb in terms of their quality and enjoy a global reputation. We have more than 750 medical students studying at Semmelweis, Szeged, Pécs, and Debrecen. However, we need to bring more qualified students and reseachers from South Korea. Dr. Ferenc Krausz, who won the Nobel Prize recently, taught in POSTEC in 2013-14 and we hope that vibrant research exchanges will take place from next year. Rector László Borhy of ELTE University, Rector József Fülöp of MOME, and Rector László Trócsányi of Károli Gáspár of Reformed University had all visited Korea to seek more students from Korean universities. I hope transactions will grow quickly in both ways.

Dr. Hong Kyu Dok, South Korea Ambassador to Hungary
Dr. Hong Kyudok, South Korea Ambassador to Hungary

DNH: It’s the New Year, what political or cultural events can we expect in Hungarian-Korean relations in 2024?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: I appreciated very much that Hungarians had shown great enthusiasm to join our cultural programs provided by the Korean Cultural Center here in Budapest. We will have more diverse and quality programs ready for 2024. I hope you can continue to support us and participate in our more than 20 courses. I remember with fond memories that Kimchi making contest was absolutely fantastic. I hope that I can be part of the contest again soon.

DNH: Ending the interview on a lighter note, in terms of gastronomy, could you share your favourite Hungarian appetizer-main course-dessert combo?

Ambassador Hong Kyudok: I like green pea soup and lentil soup very much. Many Koreans think that Hungarians only eat goulash soup every day. It’s absolutely wrong. There are varieties of soup which attract me at every meal. I like pork loins, halászlé, and Hungarian potato dishes as a main course. As a dessert, I like floating island and Somlói the best.

Interview with Deputy Foreign Minister Ignacio Higueras Hare of Peru

Peru deputy minister interview

At the end of October, Peruvian Deputy Foreign Minister Ignacio Higueras Hare visited Hungary to participate in bilateral meetings at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a lecture at the Diplomatic Academy. He was also offered a reception at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The Deputy Minister also took time to meet the editor-in-chief of Daily News Hungary for a short interview.

Deputy Minister Higueras said that the reason for his working trip to Budapest was to hold discussions with Hungarian partners in the framework of the second mechanism of political consultations between the two countries. The Vice-minister informed that he had two meetings with Hungarian hosts.

With State Secretaries Levente Magyar and Tamás Menczer, bilateral, regional and global issues were discussed. The Peruvian Deputy Minister underlined the excellent relationship between the two countries, and the relevance of both having resident embassies in Lima and Budapest, which is a very strong foundation for the relationship.

Another positive steps forward in Peruvian-Hungarian relations were the meeting of the Presidents of the two countries during the UN General Assembly, while Hungary’s Foreign Minister visited Lima in September 2022 during his trip to South America.

Peru interview
Photo: DNH

Peru, a new OECD member

During the meetings in Budapest the most recent bilateral agreements on water management, sports and cooperation between diplomatic academies were reviewed. Progress was also made in the discussions to increase exports and imports between Peru and Hungary. The Peruvian deputy minister said that it is important to maintain the bilateral exchange at high level without prejudice of the great relevance of the work of the embassy in promoting trade and investment, as well as culture and tourism in complement to the political relationship. He added that they are counting on the good results achieved here to make Hungarians more aware of Peruvian values.

Higueras said that Peru has a very strong relation with the EU, in cooperation, economic and political matters. He added that the EU is a large and valuable market for Peru, and that is why the South American country is seeking to further strengthening economic relations with European partners, including the expansion of trade with Hungary. He said that the visa waiver for Peruvian citizens within the Schengen area was a huge step forward. With the Hungarian side, European Union issues, the Hungarian presidency of the EU, the Global Gateway initiative, and the fight against drugs, among other topics were also discussed

The Hungarian side showed great interest in the developments in Latin America and in their integration processes such as the Pacific Alliance, where Hungary is an observer state.

Peru’s accession to the OECD was also discussed. The South American country is in the process of fully complying with the requirements of the OECD, but there is still a long road ahead, where members will have the final say. Peru will remain open to discuss with Hungary about any concerns its government may have about Peru´s progress, as this is one of the main goals the country wishes to achieve in a near future.

Peru interview
Photo: DNH

Peru, one of the most diverse countries in the world

The two sides also discussed the two current conflicts that are seriously affecting the world economy. The Peruvian deputy minister said that his government has condemned Russia´s aggression against Ukraine and hopes that within the framework of the UN, peace will eventually be achieved in the Hungarian neighbouring country. He sees the Hungarian economy as facing some challenges stemming from the recent war, but Peru is affected too, as the price of fertiliser risen as a result of the war, and high inflation is affecting everyone.

The situation in the Middle East was also discussed, Higueras said that Peru condemns the violent attacks of Hamas on 7 October and reaffirmed that his country is against any act of violence and terror in all its forms. He added that Peru condemns violence no matter where it comes from and highlighted the importance for all sides to adhere to international law, including international humanitarian law. In this sense Higueras stressed that Peru calls for all parties to guarantee the protection of civilians and of humanitarian personnel. Peru´s aim is that a peaceful and lasting solution be reached without delay. Higueras said that the peace signed exactly 25 years ago between Peru and Ecuador could be a positive example of neighbouring countries’ ability to overcome problems and focus on cooperation and peace in the future.

In the last part of the interview with the deputy minister, we talked about the opportunities for tourism in Peru, because who doesn’t want to see Machu Picchu or Cusco or the Amazon jungle in person? They are trying to attract as many tourists as possible from Europe, including Hungary, and what they feel is their main task is to show and connect the world-famous Peruvian tourist attractions with other less well-known landmarks that are also exceptional. Regarding Machu Picchu he underlined that the most adventurous and nature loving tourists can access the site through the inca trail in a wonderful trekking experience which take from 1 to several days. For those who prefer a more comfortable way there is also the railway. According to Higueras, Peru is also a gastronomic destination with worldwide reputation The deputy minister calls on everyone to spend two or three weeks in Peru, one of the most diverse countries in the world.

ESSCA head: French students enjoy their time in Budapest – INTERVIEW

Jean Charroin

ESSCA School of Management creates knowledge and develops responsible managers and entrepreneurs, while fully considering the human, ethical and economic dimensions of organisations in a multicultural environment driven by technology and social innovations. The French university has one of the best management courses worldwide and operates a campus in Budapest. We talked about their mission, programs, how they use AI in education, the strengths of their Budapest campus and his impressions about the Hungarian capital with CEO and Dean Jean Charroin.

DNH: ESSCA has a French base, but it already has campuses in several countries. Can you tell us your secret?

Jean Charroin: 30 years ago, ESSCA began its internationalisation process by establishing its first European campus in Budapest. At the time, it was an ambitious strategy aimed at providing quality education and management skills to an economy that was in the process of opening up to the European and Western markets. Today we are proud that ESSCA is the only French business school in Hungary that provides a diploma labelled by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles.

I joined the school in 2018. At that time we were contemplating whether it is feasible to be a multicampus network with a large portfolio program or not. Michael Porter the famous professor of corporate strategy says: “When you do not make a choice you are stuck in the middle.” When we were at the crossroads of choosing between a multicampus organization or a multiprogram portfolio, I said that we have to make a tradeoff and we opted to develop a multicampus network with a very narrow portfolio program.

Read also:

  • French university with the best management courses worldwide celebrated Budapest campus – Read more HERE

ESSCA has 3 major programs, two of which recruit 90% of all students: the bachelor in management and the master in management. On top of this, the institution is about to launch an MBA program. Almost 95% of our students are in 3 programs at 10 different campuses. With such a narrow portfolio we were able to “copy and paste” a program to have a standardized and efficient approach. If you want to meet the international standards laid out by the most prestigious accrediting bodies in the world such as the American AACSB, the British AMBA and the European EQUIS, and also meet the guidelines of the French Ministry of Education, your institution has to be efficient. This means achieving operational and academic excellence. There are just over 110 business schools in the world that have received recognition from all three aforementioned bodies, i.e. that have been awarded the ‘Triple Crown’.

These accreditations can also serve as the basis of inter-institutional collaborations. For example, all our students have to spend at least one semester abroad, and thus, it is of the utmost importance to propose them international partners, which are of the same quality as ESSCA.

2023 is an exceptional year in the life of ESSCA, as – in addition to Budapest – the Paris Campus is also celebrating its 30th anniversary. The School opened its Luxembourg and Malaga Campuses this year, and will also inaugurate a new facility at its Bordeaux Campus.

DNH: Decades come and go in the life of the ESSCA, but you always teach to a high standard. How do you maintain this high level? Do you renew the university’s strategy from time to time?

Jean Charroin: The School continuously strives to integrate new practices, principles and challenges into all of its activities and to be a trend-setter in shaping the educational field. All of its instructors receive training from ESSCA on how to use the ever-creative and inventive methods it is developing for teaching, tutoring, teamwork, etc. in their varied roles.

The businesses are also effectively incorporated into the school’s operations: for example, they have seats on the Board of Trustees, test panels, curriculum development committees, etc. This proximity to the corporate world shows how diligently ESSCA works to ensure that students obtain the most up-to-date, relevant trainings, specializations, courses and skills.

DNH: How is sustainability integrated into the life of the university?

Jean Charroin: We work to broaden our students’ understanding of the significance and meaning of sustainable development as part of our efforts to make our campus a truly sustainable institution. We arrange at least one optional, CSR-related program each month that educates them on the various facets of sustainability.

ESSCA was one of the first education institutions to integrate the topic of sustainable development into its educational and organizational portfolio. In addition our management considers one of its top priorities that all campuses organize their activities in accordance with sustainability guidelines. Sustainable development and social responsibility does not only part of the curriculum, as it also permeates many other aspects of the School’s operations. The university also serves as an outstanding example, even at international levels, for domestic educational institutions. At the School’s campus in Angers, following the assessment of its carbon footprint, energy consumption was effectively reduced. Furthermore, many new measures were introduced: their buildings were properly insulated, motion-detecting lighting and energy-saving light bulbs were installed, and computers in the classrooms are automatically shut down every night. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the minimization and recycling of waste can be mentioned among our active efforts we have been continuously exercising for years on our campuses. The ESSCA School of Management has achieved many milestones over the decades, such as assessing its ecological efficiency and establishing the ESSCA Sustainable Development-CSR Steering Committee.

DNH: AI has completely turned education systems upside down. How consciously is AI used in education?

Jean Charroin: In order to help students recognize the potential effects of new technologies and how to apply them from an economic, social, legal, and technological perspective, ESSCA places more emphasis on introducing cutting-edge technology into the classroom, such as artificial intelligence.

This September, at our Budapest Campus we hosted the first flagship event of a thought-provoking conference series on Artificial Intelligence titled ‘Leading the Way to Develop New Skills for Europe’s Digital Era’. This conference serves as a demonstration of ESSCA’s commitment to provide its colleagues and students with the tools necessary to succeed in the rapidly changing modern world.

DNH: What do you see as the strengths of the Budapest Campus? Why should talented students apply here?

Jean Charroin: Budapest is located in Central Europe. We made a strategic decision 30 years ago to expand here and this strategy still holds up till this day. The case is quite interesting for our Budapest campus, since it is in a Central European location and Hungary is an industrial country. This is why we wanted to provide a specialization in supply chain management, where students can receive in-depth knowledge about industrial operational efficiency. Within Hungary Budapest is located at a prime geological location where it can take advantage of the opportunities offered by industrial activities.

DNH: What is your impression of Budapest?

Jean Charroin: It is not the first time I have visited here. I am fascinated by history, culture and arts. The decision to have a campus in Budapest was made long time ago before I joined ESSCA. It is a beautiful place for its history, art, culture and its atmosphere. When we share with our French students that they would spend a semester in Budapest, initially they are surprised thinking about why we haven’t established a campus at a fancier location. Nonetheless, after having spent one semester in Budapest all of our students attest to that they enjoyed their time here and feel satisfied at the end of the semester. This can be attributed to the quality of life and the unique student experience they encounter here.

We already made an interview with Director of ESSCA Budapest dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray, read here.

INTERVIEW with Hungary’s Special Ministerial Envoy: we disagree with most of our neighbours on minority issues

Ferenc Kalmár1

We interviewed Ferenc Kalmár, Hungary’s Special Ministerial Envoy for Neighbourhood Policy Development. We talked about his tasks, the situation of the Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin, how the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine affects minority issues. Furthermore, we also touched how the problems of the autochthonous can be represented in the European Union.

DNH: It may not be clear to everyone, so first of all, what exactly is your role within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Ferenc Kalmár: In order to understand my role, we should go back to the 90s. At that time, preparing the accession of Hungary to the EU, our country has concluded agreements on good neighbourhood with all our neighbours except Austria. These agreements stated that Hungary and the neighbouring countries shall create on bilateral bases Intergovernmental Joint Committees on the problems of National Minorities. Their duty is to discuss at least once per year the problems arising in the field of national minority protection. It is well known that in all these countries live considerable Hungarian communities. In 2015 I have been nominated to be the Hungarian coo president of all these Committees.

Ferenc Kalmár interview
Photo: facebook.com/mmonkpmsns

DNH: What is the difference between a minority and an autochthonous minority? And why is the situation of national minorities important for Hungary?

Ferenc Kalmár: Autochthonous national minorities are those communities which have become minorities because of border changes. It is well known that in Europe, due to its turbulent history borders had changed frequently. Thus a national community could become easily a minority although they have been living on the same territory for centuries. There are, of course other minorities, too. For instance, religious or due to the massive migration towards Europe considerable other national minorities were created but my role is related to the autochthonous ones.

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This is important for Hungary because after the First WW we have lost two third of our territory and thus one third of the Hungarian nation live in the neighbouring countries as national minorities. The protection of their identity, preservation of the Hungarian cultural heritage on these territories is of utmost importance for Hungary.

DNH: Let’s take a look at the neighbouring countries and see what Hungary has achieved with whom, and what tasks are still ahead. Croatia, Slovenia and Austria have a relatively small number of native Hungarian minorities, what is their situation? Are there any minority mixed committee meetings?

Ferenc Kalmár: We have annual meetings with our Croatian and Slovenian counterparts. Our cooperation is good, fruitful and there are no difficult problems which could not be discussed or solved in this field. Both Hungary and the two mentioned countries support reciprocally their minorities. As I told before with Austria we do not have this kind of Committee.

DNH: There is a great deal of agreement between the Serbian and Hungarian governments, economic cooperation is at its maximum, and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Belgrade that the Serbian state is treating the Hungarian minority in a way that serves as an example for the whole world. But Hungarians living there often say the opposite, and draw attention to the huge exodus. What is the truth?

Ferenc Kalmár: The legal background of national minority protection in Serbia is really at a high level. Problems may appear due to the poor implementation. In fact, the relations between Hungary and Serbia have been recently raised to a strategic level with the creation of a Strategic Intergovernmental Body which will discuss the issue of national minority protection, too. The huge exodus is due mostly to economic reasons and not because of national discriminations.

DNH: Slovakia is another interesting area, as we have seen a lot of economic and infrastructural cooperation between the two countries in recent years, but the infamous Benes decree is still in force, and the Slovak side seems to be reluctant to hear about the withdrawal of this discriminatory regulation. Will this be discussed at the meeting of the Hungarian-Slovak minority joint committee?

Ferenc Kalmár: Our relations with Slovakia are treated as strategic ones. This means that there is progress in every field. The issue of the actual use of the Benes decrees has been on the agenda of the Committee. We still did not finish the actual session due to the forthcoming election in Slovakia. We will continue afterwards and hope to reach an agreement which will be signed. It is important to mention that even the monitoring group of the Council of Europe which monitored the implementation of the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities in Slovakia has mentioned this issue in their protocol.

DNH: There are more than one and a half million Hungarians living in Romania, there is a lot of Hungarian state aid coming to Transylvania, the RMDSZ represents Hungarians in parliament, and recently the prime ministers of the two countries met in person in Bucharest. What is the state of play on the Hungarian-Romanian nationality issue, what progress has been made and what tasks remain to be done?

Ferenc Kalmár: According to the last Romanian census (2023) there are more than one million Hungarians in Romania but unfortunately their number is under 1.5 million. The RMDSZ was part of the governing coalition till recently when, after the rotation of the prime-ministers they were left out. Regarding our talks in the framework of the Joint Committee I have to tell you that the last plenary meeting was held in 2011 and it ended without signing the protocol. But, after 2015 when I took over the presidency of the Hungarian side we had several meetings of the coo presidents when we discussed the main issues. In 2021, in Gyula we have signed a protocol which contained the non-agreed issues, too, and passed the initiative to the Romanian side. In 2022, October we had a coo presidential meeting in Bucharest when we agreed that the Romanian side will formulate the draft protocol. We have got it at the beginning of this summer. We will prepare our answer. So, the process is going on but the conclusion is not so close. There are still difficult issues to be discussed.

DNH: The most difficult question is Ukraine. Every Hungarian’s heart is heavy when they think that there is a war going on in their neighbouring country and that Hungarians are fighting on the front. At the same time, relations between the governments of the two countries are not good, to put it mildly, and the Ukrainian parliament is busy trimming the rights of the minority, even in times of war. International organisations have also condemned the new Ukrainian anti-minority measures, but the ever-smaller Hungarian community in Transcarpathia continues to face a difficult situation. Are there talks with your Ukrainian colleagues? Is any improvement at all expected in the short term?

Ferenc Kalmár: Unfortunately, the work of the Joint Committee is frozen for the moment although we declared that we are prepared for further dialogue and this year, through the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest the Ukrainian side has declared that they are willing to start again the dialogue. In September 2021 I was in Kiev and after that the secretary of the Committee was in Budapest. But, unfortunately the break out of the war has interrupted this process. In the meantime, the Ukrainian side do not have neither coo president nor secretary. Actually the subcommittee for education will meet in September. The very recent meeting of the two Presidents set that the bilateral dialogue on this issue should start again with the aim of reaching quick results.

DNH: Speeches and proposals for resolutions have been made on the platforms of the European Union and the Council of Europe, and there have even been several petitions to clarify the situation of autochthonous minorities. Moreover, the EU and the CoE condemn all forms of negative discrimination, yet no progress has been made in recent years. What is your position, what solution would you be satisfied with? And more interestingly, what would it take to make this happen?

Ferenc Kalmár: At European level there are two documents which are always referred to as compulsory, binding documents. These are the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and The European Charta for Regional and Minority Languages. The problem with these documents is that they are binding but not enforceable. I and other leading experts and politicians, among them Dr Katalin Szili, former Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament think that Europe would need a binding and enforceable Framework legislation regarding national minority protection. Together with Dr Katalin Szili we have proposed five basic principles which should form the basis of this legislation.

Unfortunately, in the last years we experience a step-back in this field globally. The Ukrainian-Russian war has accentuated this trend.

Anyhow, the issue of autochthonous national minorities in Europe should remain on the main political agenda since it influences strongly stability and peace on the continent.

I came to Budapest with Spago to learn more from the Hungarians – Exclusive interview with star chef Wolfgang Puck

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We Hungarians learned the name of the famous celebrity chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck when his eponymous Spago restaurant opened in the renovated Matild Palace. Puck visited Budapest again and we couldn’t miss the opportunity to talk to him about Hungarian gastronomy, his long and uninterrupted career and much more. The interview was conducted by our sister-site Helló Magyar.

The interview took place in the Matild Café & Cabaret, one of the most exclusive areas of the five-star luxury hotel. The chef, now 74, was born in Austria but moved to the United States to pursue his dreams. During a career spanning several decades, he has made a significant impact on the American culinary scene. For 28 years, Puck and his team have ensured that a first-rate menu has been on the table at the Oscars. In fact, István Szántó, chef at Spago Budapest, was the first Hungarian chef to be selected to the Oscar chef team, a great credit to the industry.

The Austrian chef opened his iconic restaurant Spago in 1982 in West Hollywood, California, which has become a symbol of fine dining and a celebrity hotspot. Spago’s success led to the expansion of the Wolfgang Puck brand, with restaurants opening in the United States and around the world. His restaurant empire also includes popular eateries such as CUT, Chinois on Main and Postrio. His restaurants offer a diverse range of culinary experiences, from upscale fine dining to casual dining to airport concessions.

Born in Carinthia, Puck told us that he is very proud that the two countries were a strong empire during the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and when he got the chance to get a little closer to Hungarian culture, he jumped at the chance. He couldn’t wait to learn more about the Hungarians and the opportunities here.

The invitation came from the owner of the Turkish hotel chain, the star chef has a friendly relationship with the influential family. The Özyer Group renovated the magnificent Matild Palace in Ferenciek Square a few years ago. The owner thought that Spago would represent a quality that would appeal to gastronomy lovers in Budapest. By the way, they are already working together in Istanbul, where Spago also operates, so they have come to the Hungarian capital with a tried and tested collaboration.

I’m proud to have my son Byron by my side in the business so I have someone to pass on what I’ve built. For me, making money has never been the primary goal. I never opened a restaurant to make more money. I do it because it’s exciting and I love what I do. I came to Hungary with Spago to learn more about Hungarian gastronomy,

Puck said.

He mentioned that, unfortunately, many of his friends and colleagues have left the hospitality industry, as they always have to work on weekends and holidays and often have to stay overnight. Not many people can do this with full energy for long periods of time, but Puck persevered and said he sees it as fun. As long as he can keep up his interest in cooking, he will never get bored.

Food is great because different cultures have different foods and learning something new never ends,”

he said.

He said that for him, opening a new restaurant is like a marriage, which he is serious about and is keen to learn and experience. He stressed that Hungarian wineries are of a very high quality and he is confident that Hungarian gastronomy will follow suit. More and more Hungarian chefs are reaching the highest level and he believes that competition is raising the quality of service.

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Alpár Kató (left), owner of Daily News Hungary and Helló Magyar, and Wolfgang Puck (right). Source: Balogh Erik/Matild Palace

We must remember that part of hospitality is the food served, but overall the most important thing is how you feel, what the atmosphere is like. When someone says it was a perfect night at the restaurant, that means the big picture and we did an excellent job, the star chef pointed out.

A lot has changed in the last 40 years, so a high-quality restaurant should have “master waiters” as well as a master chef, as communication with the guest is also of paramount importance, Puck noted. The perception of chefs has changed over the decades. As he says, people used to know the owner and manager of a restaurant, but now the focus is on the chefs. Part of fine dining is the open kitchen, where guests can watch with their own eyes the most famous chefs create, but it’s also more fun for the chef because there is interaction, he can see the “audience”.

The kitchen’s management policy has also changed, with loud and rowdy behaviour no longer allowed in open spaces in an upscale restaurant, Puck said. Today, you have to have highly trained chefs who can work under your command, so there’s no need for loud words – everyone knows their job.

Anyone who follows the preparation of a dish will see that there are no secrets here, only the best ingredients are used to cook the chosen dish,

Wolfgang Puck said with a smile.

He noted that he likes to go to restaurants where he knows people, where he can taste special flavours and solutions that can later be served in a different form, rethought in a restaurant. He mentioned that in the restaurant Noma in Copenhagen, which won the title of the best restaurant in the world, all the chefs came out of the kitchen to take a photo with the Hollywood chef when he visited it recently. In Formula One, the premier class of motor racing, he works with Aston Martin, which is why his name is on the nose of the car. His recent visit was also in conjunction with the Hungarian Grand Prix to meet the team.

Speaking about Hungarian gastronomy, he said that they try to combine local flavours and world-famous dishes in all their restaurants, and they do the same in Budapest. During the conversation, we asked him about his favourite Hungarian dishes. Not surprisingly Puck mentioned traditional dishes, so goulash soup (gulyásleves) as a starter is his favourite, and if it’s a main course, then chicken paprikash (csirkepaprikás). He loves classic Hungarian cakes, having tasted them as a child in Austria, and he mentioned Eszterházy cake and Dobos Cake (dobostorta) for dessert.

And what is the future of hospitality? Well, Puck didn’t have a clear answer to that, but he did say that supporting local farmers is of paramount importance. Because, on the one hand, we don’t have to burden our environment with transporting goods, and on the other hand, the farmers who remain can usually bring really good quality ingredients to the market. Today, even the best restaurants choose seasonal fruit and vegetables for their menus, which also helps to protect the environment. The chef pointed out that when he landed in Budapest in the morning, his first stop was the local market, so he saw for himself what the Hungarian markets had to offer, and he also visited his favourite Hungarian butcher.

As to how well he knows Budapest or Hungary, Puck answered that he doesn’t know enough, as he only spends short periods of time in Hungary. He would like to stay here for a longer period of time, to visit Tokaj or Lake Balaton, as he is very interested in rural Hungary. He mentioned that he had a great time once when he was taken to the Danube and served fish soup from a cauldron (bogrács), an experience he will never forget.

Read the original interview with Wolfgang Puck in Hungarian on Helló Magyar.

INTERVIEW with H.E. Ignacio Ruiz, Colombia’s ambassador in Budapest

Colombia Ambassador Budapest

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz is the new high representative in Budapest of the Republic of Colombia, the country of Shakira, Juanes, Botero and Escarabajos. We asked him about his Budapest and Hungary impressions, the Hungarian-Colombian relationship, his opinion on the Hungarian gastronomy, how we can get to Colombia from Budapest, and what we should visit in the South American country. Here is the interview.

DNH: You are the new ambassador in Budapest, having been appointed a few months ago. Have you had a chance to get to know the city and the Hungarians?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: Yes, definitely Hungary is an appropiate place for exercising the diplomatic job. Also, I am plenty identified with the beauty of the city, its facilities to use the public transportation, the practical way the Hungarian live their daily life and I have also took a further step, one that many people do not dare to do: I am learning Hungarian language, taking a course twice a week.

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The Colombian ambassador with President Katalin Novák. Photo: Embassy of Colombia

DNH: And how has the reception been in the diplomatic arena?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: I presented credentials with four more ambassadors back in October 2022 and since then I have had no inconveniencies in my diplomatic job. The interaction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the different levels of the Hungarian public administration have been quite expedite. We, the latin-american ambassadors, are working together taking advantages of the similarities that our countries have towards Hungary, acting within a non-official but very active group, the so called GRULAC (latinamerican and Caribbean group). We are conscious that there is a lack of knowledge -not of interest- from Hungary to Latin-america, and viceversa. The trade between the two regions is notably low and one of my goals is to achieve an increased bilateral trade, currently with a notably surplus to Hungary.

DNH: Before you were appointed ambassador, what had you heard about Hungary?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: Lot of good things: in music from Ferenc Liszt to Béla Bartók, in sports from Ferenc Puskás to Zsuzsanna Jakabos, or admiring the worldwide known creations of genius like Bíró, Rubik or Houdini. And, of course, admiring the notable research of so many Hungarian that have achieved Nobel Prizes in chemistry, physical or medicine. And who can forget the extraordinary life of Cardinal Josef Mindszenty and all he did for the needed people facing dictatorial regimes. Besides that, I have the chance to visit some towns of the Hungarian country side and, of course, the fact that I landed on Budapest knowing already about the excellent hungarian wine and gastronomy.

Colombia Ambassador Budapest
Photo: Embassy of Colombia

DNH: Let’s start with the hardest part. We Hungarians have a lot of negative stereotypes about Colombia. (drug cartels, Escobar etc) Please correct these beliefs, introduce us the Colombia of today.

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: The contemporary Colombia has a great asset: its people. Although we cannot hideaway realities that have deteriorated the image of our country, our people have built a country where the good representatives like García Márquez, the singers Shakira and Juanes, the painter Botero, the cycle riders like Nairo Quintana or Egan Bernal (so called Escarabajos) have showed a human potential that can overthrown those negatives stereotypes. We keep on building us as a nation and we do hope that the Peace Agreement of 2016 and the new initiatives about Total Peace, treatment of the worldwide problem of drugs or facing the climate change can squeeze the best of the Colombian strength leading us to the necessary peace that we deserve.

DNH: Colombia’s neighbours are going through difficult times, what do you think about the current political situation in the region?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: I want to start by saying that Colombia has friendly relations with all the neighborhood. Recently, relations with Venezuela were normalized after a period of tremendous difficulties that the common people went through being unable to develop their normal life in both sides of the border. Colombia hold ten consulates in Venezuelan territory that were closed, causing tremendous harm to thousands of Colombian population; now the situation is getting better. Colombia also belongs to regional organizations like the OAS (Organization of American States), The Andean Community, SELA, OTCA, is associated member of Mercosur, just to mention some of them. The regional integration is a clear and important chapter in the colombian foreign policy.

Colombia Ambassador Budapest
The Ruiz Family on Andrássy Avenue. Photo: Embassy of Colombia

DNH: What can we know about the relations between the Colombian and Hungarian governments? And what are the business opportunities for Hungarian companies in Colombia? Conversely, what products from your country are offered to Hungarian customers?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: First, let me point out that in 2023 the governments of Hungary and Colombia are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. This is an extraordinary occasion to celebrate the always friendly and mutual beneficial ties that bind us, and an opportunity to find new ways to bring our two countries closer.   We have always found in the Hungarian government a partner; we find common ground in many topics in the international arena and have an active cooperation in many areas.  Just to mention a few, In 2021 we signed an extension of the Stipendum Hungaricum academic exchange program, therefore we have seen a constant and increasing flow of Colombian students to Hungarian universities. Last October, the minister Péter Szijjártó signed an agreement with Colombia for raising -from 40 to 50- the number of places we have in this program.

Let me use this opportunity to inform that we also have a scholarship program for Hungarian students to go to Colombia, we would like to welcome every time more Hungarians in our universities, so anyone interested please contact us and we can give you more information.  We have also signed other bilateral agreements in fields such as agriculture: Currently, we are revising a Memorandum of Understanding between our ministries of agriculture to include viticulture and viniculture, a field in which Hungary has a long tradition that we can learn from.  Colombia has a great potential for agricultural development and Hungary has great experience we can benefit from.  We also have a MoU on sports cooperation between our ministries of sports and another MoU between our diplomatic academies to cooperate academically because we have great capacities and many opportunities to exchange knowledge and good practices. Finally, we are working on an agreement to facilitate the flow of people that want to mix some holidays with work, a growing tendency among young people.

DNH: If you are going to Colombia as a tourist, what is the fastest way to get there from Budapest and how many hours does it take?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: There are many airways to get to Colombia from Budapest. However, a stopover is necessary as there is not a direct flight.  You can find flights to Colombia from many European capital cities like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Vienna, Madrid, Paris and also via Istanbul.  From any of those cities you can catch a flight to Bogotá or a handful of other Colombian cities like Cartagena, Medellin, Barranquilla or Cali.  The shortest way might be through Paris or Amsterdam to Bogotá, for a total duration of between 14 to 16 hours altogether.  It is important to mention that Hungarian citizens do not need a visa for tourism purposes in Colombia.  Last year alone, we had 1.856 Hungarian visitors in Colombia, we hope that this number continues to grow in the coming years.

DNH: What are the biggest attractions not to miss when visiting Colombia in South America? And what sights would you show your friends if they visited you in Budapest?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: Colombia offers many diverse types of tourism: the Andean region of the country offers beautiful mountain and valley landscapes and a lot of rural tourism in coffee farms that have been turned into high stars countryside hotels; the Amazonian region offers the wild and exotic view of the jungle and the majestic landscapes and, of course, the pacific and Atlantic shores of Colombia give the chance to find beautiful white beaches and warm sea to enjoy (the island of San Andrés and Cartagena are the most well known options for that). Because of the numerous rivers and caves and natural parks also the archeological tourism is welcomed, as well as the religious tourism visiting some of the iconic sanctuaries, mountain-built churches and the worldwide Cathedral of Salt, just one and a half hour from Bogotá, the capital city. And if some friends happened to come to Budapest, I will have a rich and varied tourist tour in this beautiful city.

Colombia Ambassador Budapest
Photo: Embassy of Colombia

DNH: We’re proud of our Hungarian cuisine, but how much would a Colombian like our food?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: There is no Colombian not knowing about the famous Hungarian goulash, or the fish soup, the duck or the chicken paprika or the galuska itself. I have spent eight months trying delicious dishes of the Hungarian gastronomy and still have some more left to discover. The Hungarian food is quite a spicy and well mixed, so a colombian tourist will find no differences when taste the Hungarian food with its different spices.

DNH: I know you are a big sports fan. What sports do you like? Have you been to any sporting events in Hungary?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: I am a passionated fan of the motor sports, so next GP of Hungaroring will be a special sport event for me. From the sports I can practice daily, tennis and cycling are among the most important ones and the Buda mountains offer a good chance to ride in bicycle. I also like football and I am just about to start engaging in the night games that the diplomatic community arrange every Friday.

DNH: Speaking of events. What were some of the events organised by the embassy that you would highlight? And what events are coming up in the near future?

Ambassador Ignacio Ruiz: Since my arrival last September, we have had some cultural events, mainly the projection of colombian films and some gastronomical events, also we participated enthusiastically at the diplomatic charity bazar in December. As I mentioned before, this year we are celebrating our 50th anniversary and we are planning to have several events throughout the year, some of them academic, other cultural, we are still defining places and dates, which we will inform to the public eventually. We always give special importance to our National Day on the 20th of July, which last year we celebrated in the Városliget thanks to the excellent cooperation with the Budapest Sports Service Provider, we hope this year we can replicate this cooperation as it was highly successful and a great opportunity for our community to meet Hungarians interested in our culture.

 

Exclusive interview with Tunisia’s Foreign Minister: the key solution to curb migration is not border security strengthening

NabilAmmar Tunisia Budapest

We had the chance to meet up with Tunisian Foreign Minister, Nabil Ammar, during his two-day visit to Budapest. We have discussed Hungarian-Tunisian relations – political, economic and cultural. And we have also touched upon the issue of migration and the possibilities of an upcoming direct Tunis-Budapest flight.

In a meeting room at the Parisi Court, we caught up with Nabil Ammar, who represents Tunisia’s foreign policy. Mr Ammar also has a special interest in migration and Tunisians living abroad. The minister was amicable from the start and repeatedly stressed that his country is safe and peaceful, and all conditions are ideal to welcome Hungarian visitors who come for business or pleasure.

He deemed the intergovernmental relations to be exceptionally good, which is why he met Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and László Kövér, Speaker of the Parliament. The minister said that his country’s rapport with the Hungarian government was also great as Budapest understood and supported democratic changes in Tunisia. Democracy is a process whose modalities are determined by the Tunisian electorate, he noted. Instead of interfering and giving unsolicited advice, the Hungarian Cabinet is helping with good intentions, and for this the Tunisian President, Mr Said, is very grateful.

The harmonious relationship between the two nations is also demonstrated by the fact that Tunisia is able to send 200 students a year to Hungary through the Stipendium Hungaricum programme. Students from the North African country can study in the most sought-after fields today, such as engineering, medicine, IT or agricultural engineering.

Europe’s relations with Tunisia

One of the main routes of illegal immigration runs through North Africa, and Tunisia is involved as well. The European Commission has offered EUR 1 billion to the country of 12 million people to reinforce their border security, but Tunisian President Qais Said has repeatedly stated that his country will not be Europe’s border guard. He added that it is not Tunisia’s responsibility to deal with the migration crisis in Europe. Foreign Minister Ammar underlined that they want to cooperate with the European Union in all their efforts, however, they believe that the key solution is not border reinforcement but treating the root causes of migration. In his opinion, the EU is pushing border fortification, although it is clear whether the weight of mass migration can be eased by increasing the number of border guards. “We need to get to the root of the problem, and in this case that means ensuring a viable future for the masses who decides to flee their home countries”, the minister explained. Education, new jobs and a range of development could keep people in their own countries, and that is where the EU would have a big role to play.

Mr Ammar stressed that

the real solution is to create prosperity in the medium and long term, but Brussels is focusing more on the short-term solutions and this should change.

It is often said that Africa is the continent of the future, but it is not enough to exploit its natural resources, the Foreign Minister stressed.

Mr Ammar also added that the meetings between the African Union and the European Union have produced results, but that real and meaningful progress will only be seen if a strong partnership is established and cooperation is mutually beneficial. As he put it, if we only treat the surface, there will never be a permanent solution, only a temporary one. Africa is in need of external aid, but that aid would come back to the ‘investors’ later, with added interest. He reckons that the developing continents show great potential.

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Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar and Alpár Kató, owner of Hello Magyar and Daily News Hungary. Photo by Helló Magyar

The Foreign Minister said that Tunisia would welcome a more flexible approach to Schengen visa applications, as the procedure is now rather stringent. Often, professors or businessmen with significant capital are only granted visas for a few months, even though they are unlikely to endanger the security or well-being of Western countries.

Tourism is Tunisia’s driving force

Tourism is one of Tunisia’s most important “assets” and Hungarian travellers are welcome in every season. True, there are currently no direct flights from Budapest to Tunis, but a stopover in Vienna or Prague is an easy way to reach the sunny North African coast. The foreign minister stressed that his people are very hospitable and Tunis is a great place for vacationers who want to relax ad unwind in a peaceful environment. Mr Ammar also explained that their tourist attractions do not stop at clean and stunning beaches, as their country has a rich culture to offer. Further improvements are expected in the coming years to make Tunisia even more welcoming and convenient to reach for tourists, the foreign minister revealed.

War and climate change

The subject of the war in Ukraine was also touched upon during the discussion. The Minister said that they have always condemned aggression and violence. No wonder, the North African country stood up for the Hungarians in 1956, when the Soviet tanks crushed the revolution to death. However, Nabil Ammar also underscored that the same rules apply to everyone and Western countries should not forget this when they want to discuss UN or other resolutions.

In addition to the economic impact of the war, Tunisia is also affected by climate change and is facing serious agricultural challenges. According to the minister, 30% of the harvest of recent years has been below the average figures of the past decades, and water shortages are also increasing. The minister mentioned that

Hungary is helping a lot when it comes to water management and there are numerous Hungarian achievements in this field that could ease the burden on the African country.

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In addition to Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar and Alpár Kató, the discussion was also attended by Abdelkarim Hermi, Tunisian Ambassador to Hungary and journalist Anna Popper. Photo by Helló Magyar

Despite the great geographical distance, we can spot many Tunisian products on Hungarian supermarket shelves, most notably olive oil and dates. The minister also recommended camel milk, which is similar in composition to breast milk but is not well known in Hungary despite its numerous health properties.

Finally, Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar spoke about his personal memories in the Hungarian capital. He and his family spent a few years living in Budapest and he was always impressed by the hospitality of Hungarians.

We also interviewed Abdelkarim Hermi, Tunisia’s Ambassador back in May. Click here to read what he had to say about the events of 1956, Tunisian-Hungarian relations and many more.

Interview with Director of ESSCA Budapest dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray

ESSCA

We conducted an exclusive interview with Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray, Director of ESSCA Budapest. The French university’s campus in Hungary is a success story, but a lot of work has gone into it over the past 30 years. ESSCA’s presence in Hungary is raising the standard of higher education.

Daily News Hungary (DNH): First of all, please tell us a bit about yourself. I heard that you have already spent more than 20 years at ESSCA.

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: Indeed, this year, it has been exactly 24 years since the then-Head of the Budapest Campus of ESSCA contacted me and invited me to teach a course on international marketing to students of ESSCA in English. At that time, I was working on my doctoral thesis as well as teaching several subjects in Hungarian and in English at the university where I was employed as an assistant professor.

Every year, more and more courses were entrusted to me at ESSCA and after a few years, I was asked if I was interested in working full time at ESSCA. Since I liked the School’s value system, the applied methodologies, the colleagues and the students, I accepted the offer with great pleasure. I started to work at the School as programme director and I have been working in this position for seven years. In 2013, the school entrusted me with the entire management of the Budapest Campus therefore I have been participating in the life of the school as the director of the Campus for ten years.

DNH: For those who are not familiar with ESSCA, how would you describe the university with your own words? 

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: The ESSCA School of Management has been founded in 1909 in Angers. It has ten Campuses, 6 in France, 1 in Hungary, 1 in China, 1 in Spain and 1 in Luxembourg. The excellence of the School as well as its academic programmes have been acknowledged by several international accreditation bodies. The ESSCA is amongst the very few schools who obtained the triple crown, such as the EQUIS, the AMBA and the AACSB accreditations. ESSCA has been a member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles since 1977 and has also been annually ranked in the list of the Financial Times.

DNH: The Budapest campus was founded in 1993. What milestones have you achieved during the 30 years of operation? What level of education do you currently provide?

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: We are celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the Budapest Campus this year. We opened the Campus with forty-one students in 1993 and today, we welcome approximately 800 students every year. These statistics show that there is an increasing number of academic programmes proposed at our Campus and that there is a growing interest in studying at our School at all levels.

In 2020, we launched a new bachelor level programme (Bachelor in International Management) with a “International Business Developer” specialisation and in 2022, a new master level programme (Master in Management) with a “Purchasing and Supply Chain Management” specialisation. We have students enrolled in these programmes from all over the world and they are all looking forward to obtaining the ESSCA degree which is highly valued worldwide. During their studies, all students have to complete several internships and at least one semester abroad.

DNH: How does ESSCA stand out from other competing universities in Hungary? Why should a prospective student choose ESSCA?

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: I am very much convinced that ESSCA proposes to all students who are interested in Economics, Management, Finance, Marketing or HR the best possible learning conditions and a precious and valuable degree.

ESSCA is the only school in Hungary which possesses the accreditation of the three most prestigious accreditation bodies, that I have already mentioned. These accreditations guarantee the quality of the studies and the degree of ESSCA.

The School emphasises the professional combination of comprehensive academic knowledge that the professors share with the students and up-to-date practical activities and projects. All professors of ESSCA are trained by our “Advanced Pedagogical Institute” on how to use innovative, creative methods in their teaching practices. The classes are held in classrooms which are equipped by the highest technological equipment.

All of our students have adult tutors throughout their studies that help in guiding them on their professional path as well as their learning methods. We know all of our students by name, by interest and challenging areas and thus they are able to feel as if they were part of a large family.

During these last years, ESSCA reorganised its activities along the principles of sustainable development and it proposes many CSR activities to its students and colleagues. Humanistic values are in the centre of operations at ESSCA.

There are many other areas that we could mention but I think that you see that the ESSCA Campuses are special places where both students and professors as well as the team members like to be at.

DNH: How many students are currently enrolled at the institution? What is the ratio of Hungarian undergraduates to foreigners? Where do most international students come from?

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: The Budapest Campus welcomes approximately 800 students per year who come from all over the world. There are representatives of approximately thirty-five different countries in the study groups ever year. The percentage of the Hungarian undergraduates increases year by year.

DNH: What specific criteria do you use when hiring new faculty members?

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: When recruiting a new faculty member, we have a look at the candidates’ teaching and research experiences, methods and results as well as their vision for their professional career. We have approximately two hundred candidates for each position and we try to select the best ones who will prepare our students for their professional future. We look for new faculty members who have a PhD degree, who are involved in research projects which contribute to the development of their discipline and whose results can be incorporated into the teaching materials, who are teaching in an innovative way, who are able to professionally tutor students, whose personality fits into the value system of ESSCA and who have international experiences.

DNH: Your international admission procedure for the bachelor programme is quite unique because it is not based solely on admission points. Can you describe your method?

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: During the international admission procedure, we try to find out whether ESSCA and the programme the students apply for is the right choice for them. We also aim to assess whether or not a candidate would be able to learn and apply the competences we teach during the programme.

Candidates can apply by filling out an online questionnaire about their reasons for applying and plans for the future. After the application form is submitted, the candidate is invited for an interview where his/her debating, management, listening, planning and communication skills are evaluated. We use creative ways of finding out more about the candidates in order to make the process relaxed and inspiring. Thus, the secondary school results are important for us; however, when making our decision about the applications, we also take into consideration the students’ preparedness for a management school as well as their personality.

DNH: Let’s also briefly talk about tuition fees and possible scholarships and grants.

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: ESSCA is well-known for its aim to help all talented young students who wish to study at our School. Thus, after identifying the tuition fees for the forthcoming year, ESSCA is defining what grants it offers for the students based on the annual revenue of their parents. The school also offers excellence scholarships for those whose academic results were very good, and we also offer early bird reductions if candidates apply before the end of January.

DNH: Attracting foreign students to Budapest also boosts the image of Hungary. Based on previous feedback, what is the foreign students’ perception of the country?

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: Well, it depends on where the candidates come from. Those who come from Europe know more or less what they should expect from a European capital. Those candidates who come from different continents recall different feelings they had when they opted for Budapest. They all say that based on what they heard about Budapest, they were convinced that it was an exotic place where people are ready for new challenges and aren’t afraid to have open discussions.

After their arrival, they realise very quickly how beautiful Budapest is, how friendly people are, how many options they have if they wish to visit a theatre or museum, to go out or to visit the neighbouring countries. They appreciate the feeling of safety as well as the cleanliness of the roads. On top of this, they meet interesting and nice people (classmates and teachers) at our Campus which makes the experience much more pleasant.

DNH: We’re convinced that our readers would also be interested in what you think about the skills a good leader in education should have.

Dr. Zsuzsa Deli-Gray: It is important that a leader has in-depth and well-established management skills. By this, I am not only referring to management and organisational skills but to strategic, financial, psychological, sociological, communication and several other skills as well. Creativity and innovativeness are also essential as they allow you to stay ahead of your competition and have unique, well-distinguishable results.

Competence in risk assessment is similarly important, enabling a leader to realistically and rationally analyse individual situations, opportunities or even danger zones and develop efficient and effective solutions. Proficiency in international settings and the ability to understand and integrate various viewpoints are also indispensable competences in management.

I would also emphasise the importance of perseverance, and that a leader should be able to stand up for and loyally represent the interests of the institution he/she works for. Precision and the ability to identify synergy can greatly support the planning, organisation and control processes. I could list several other things as well but without the aforementioned skills, it is difficult to achieve success and produce results in any industry.

Also we made an interview with Anthony Radev, President of Corvinus about model-changing, foreign students and new campus, read answers HERE.