Hungary-US ties poised for new phase, says Hungarian FM in Washington, DC

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, starting an official visit to Washington, DC, has heralded a new phase in Hungary-US ties.

The minister told MTI’s correspondent that significant changes were afoot at the State Department. He cited as an example the appointment of Wess Mitchell as the official responsible for the central European region, which he said presaged a new chapter in the Hungarian-American political relationship.

He said economic ties and cooperation in defence were “excellent”, and he underlined Hungary’s unswerving commitment to NATO and the fight against terrorism. Political ties, however, have not functioned properly, he said.

“We had to face many unfair criticisms, and in several cases we experienced a lack of understanding when it came to America’s assessment of Hungarian measures,”

Szijjártó said, adding that now a new chapter could begin with Mitchell’s appointment. “Taking into account the last few years, now is our best chance for political relations to develop to the level of our ties in the economy and defence.”

Szijjártó will meet Mitchell for talks on Tuesday before consulting with President Donald Trump’s assistant and special representative for international negotiations, Jason Greenblatt, and Trump’s security advisor Fiona Hill.

Also on the agenda will be meetings with senior leaders of Procter and Gamble and a conference organised by the Brookings Institute, where Szijjártó will deliver a speech on Hungarian tax reform and the “extremely successful Hungarian economic model”.