US Ambassador Pressman slammed Orbán for his close ties with Putin again
The United States is proud of the collaboration between Hungary and the U.S.-based company Axiom Space, which aims to send a Hungarian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024, expressed the Ambassador on 7 June. But he also slammed Orbán for his Russia-close policies. Here is his unchanged speech:
Distinguished guests, dear friends of the United States, Hungary, science, technology and innovation, good afternoon and thank you all for gathering to celebrate scientific collaboration between the United States and Hungary.
I am particularly pleased that we can take a moment to celebrate collaboration and partnership. Prime Minister Orbán has recently spoken much of “connectivity.” I must begin tonight by acknowledging the catastrophic events unfolding in Ukraine, as its people continue to grapple with Russia’s war, a country Hungary stubbornly continues to maintain and even deepen its “connectivity” with.
As Hungary expands its relationship with Moscow, a massive wave of water from the destruction of the Kakhova hydroelectric dam has just swept over and displaced tens of thousands of people in and around Kherson. A few things are clear: it was Russia that started this war, it was Russia that occupied this area of Ukraine, and it was Russia that was in control of this dam. Also clearly, just this weekend, the Foreign Minister of Hungary Péter Szijjártó described Russia as Hungary’s “reliable partner” on energy, and one that would not be replaced. This is a moment of enormous consequence in the region and the world. To continue to double-down on reliance on Russia while it attempts to decapitate your democratic neighbor is wrong.
Our thoughts tonight are with those in Kherson and across Ukraine who are suffering, and our focus is holding accountable those who enable that suffering. In this stark moment, where we can seem worlds apart from the Hungarian government, there is another “space” in which the U.S. and Hungary is making some significant progress together. I am thrilled to be here tonight to celebrate a bright spot in the U.S.-Hungary relationship: space research collaboration. Tonight, we mark the start of an Embassy Science Fellowship by distinguished Earth observation expert Dr. George Garik Gutman, who is the Program Manager for the Land-Cover and Land-Use Change Program at NASA.
Since the birth of the rocket age, Hungarians and Americans have worked together to explore the heavens. Space exploration is truly one of humanity’s most inspiring endeavors. The United States is proud of the collaboration between Hungary and the U.S.-based company Axiom Space which aims send to send a Hungarian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024. This is an exciting endeavor, and it reflects the importance of continued collaboration amidst a time of accelerated interest in space amongst many nations. In this spirit, the United States also invites Hungary to join us and our international partners in signing the Artemis Accords, which aims to promote the peaceful, civil use of space, including for research and exploration like Hungary’s mission to the International Space Station.
When we talk about NASA, people often think of missions to space and astronauts exploring new horizons beyond our planet. But perhaps less celebrated is what is learned when we focus our attention not toward the stars – but back down upon our home, our shared Earth. Here too NASA is at the forefront and this research impacts each and every one of our lives.
Astronauts, witnessing Earth from space, report a profound sense of awe, transcendence, and connection to humanity and to our planet. They see beautiful blue water, white clouds, and green lands – but no political borders. They feel their personal, narrower perspectives begin to break down as well. Retired NASA astronaut Ron Garan called this revelation the “orbital perspective, as opposed to the terrestrial perspective.” Once they experience how profoundly finite and interconnected our shared planet is, our differences seem less significant. We are in this together.
Thankfully, due to technologies and methods that the United States and our partners are developing, one does not have to be in space to experience this orbital perspective. Earth observation is in a golden area, with thousands of satellites, operated by governments, alliances of nations, and private companies circulating around and above us taking measurements of the atmosphere, the land, and the oceans. Improved weather prediction, crop forecasting, management of natural resources, addressing natural disasters like floods, droughts, and wildfire – all of this has been impacted by improvements in Earth observation.
We are pleased that Dr. Gutman will spend time in Hungary and the region alongside international partners researching the Water-Energy-Food Nexus through earth observation. A recent research paper found that Hungary lost 3 percent of its GDP last year through crop loss due to the extreme droughts. Agricultural systems in the Carpathian basin and the Balkans are among the most threatened by climate change in all of Europe.
The good news is that improvements in agricultural technology – including the use of earth observation techniques for precision agriculture – can have a significant and positive impact on water use and food production efficiency, leaving more water for communities, energy production, and nature – and contribute to long-term stability and economic growth.
I recognize many familiar names and faces of guests here from the government, the private sector and research organizations. You have all worked tirelessly to help the advancement of science, and I thank you for supporting the United States in our efforts to engage with Hungary generally, Hungary’s scientific community specifically, and this most recent example of that collaboration.
I also want to thank you for your continuous efforts to advocate for science-based decision making and for top-quality education to train the next generation of scientists. Thank you again for being here, and I’d like to invite Dr. Gutman to make a couple brief remarks.
Below are some photos of the event:
No one should brag about cooperation. The US needs the educated Hungarian scientists’ participation. Gender studies, passing children who cannot pass reading and math in the US cannot send spaceships to the moon.
mariavontheresa – you WRONGFULLY use the word “educated” in your commentary.
You of course would concede, that EDUCATION in your place of birth Hungary, but we know your new place amongst the “burning” Maple Leaf Trees” – that EDUCATION in Hungary is just one MASSIVE catastrophic DISASTER.
Questioned enough over the post 1989 period in time, has been focusing on the primary level of education in Hungary – its STANDARDS, which has broadsheet reasons and answers attached to it, but what after 14 years of Orban in Government, the entire EDUCATION picture is a SHAMBLES.
– WHY hasn’t your “beloved” Victor Orban invested into Education in Hungary?
– WHY – like media, the judiciary using the process of Rule by Decree when HE sees fit to engage it – why in ALL the STUFF up’s Orban and his Government have made with Education in Hungary, the un-truths, broken promises, misappropriation of funding into Education, the falseness of propaganda – why mariavonthereesa – Orban and his “mob” think they have a RIGHT to RULE Education in Hungary ?
Education – opens WINDOWS of OPPORTUNITES but Orban, the thousands of young Hungarians, over a 14 year time line, those now still at senior schools , university and “other” places of learning – the next generation of “little ones” – why has Orban stuffed Education – impaired careers, and seen MASS numbers still HAPPENING of young educated Hungarians and “others” – with SKILLS & Talents leaving Hungary ?
BILLIONS of forints – are needed to bring the EDUCATION over-all standards of Hungary – in line with the 21st century – conditions of buildings that Education is DELIVERED in Hungary, schools, universities and “other” places of Education, inclusive of Kindergardens, – then of course – the RIGHFUL level of salaries for Educators – who Orban has ABUSED – disrespected throughout 14 years as Prime Minister.
marievontheresa – and you continue to take a position, from under a “Maple Leaf ” Tree – if its not burning, proclaiming that Hungary – go it alone – stand alone, no need of the European Union, no need of “alliance” with Uncle Sam, no need of friendships with DEMOCRACY – that Russia & China, through Orban and his “Mob” – they will take us to the PROMISE Land ?
Do they place lounges under Maple Leaf trees for a bit of psychoanalysis ???
To each his own- the US used to have the best education system and now it among the worst. The schools are run by lesbian union leaders- few if any have had children of their own. Graphic sex education starts at very young age and hidden from parents. The FBI and DOJ have targeted parents who speak out at school board meetings. Shit hit the fan when a parent complained his daughter was raped by a transgender student in girls bathroom. Nothing was done and the trans guy was transferred to another school where he did it again. The police were called and the parent was brutally handcuffed and arrested for speaking up after his mike was cut off.
The American ambassadoe should be expelled for his behaviour. America needs to take care of its own countrys problems, like crime, homelessness, food shortages and its open border to start with.