Parliamentary State Secretary in Talks on Improving Hungarian-US Relations

Levente Magyar, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, discussed the prospects for Hungarian-American relations with Jonathan Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor at the White House, in Washington. The Hungaria

By: hungarytoday.hu

Aug 08 2024
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Parliamentary State Secretary

The Hungarian politician said: “in the series of talks, we will review all issues in the relations between Hungary and the United States that bring us closer to agreement or disagreement, as this is a kind of progress compared to not talking to each other.” He added that he had discussed similar issues with the US State Department and other political actors in mid-July.

We do not have to agree on everything, and there are many important issues on which we do not think alike, we do not have the same vision of the way forward, but we are allies,”

the Secretary of State emphasized. He underlined the differences over the war in Ukraine, adding that there is agreement that both sides want peace in Ukraine and in the Middle East.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia David De Falco and Levente Magyar in July (L-R). Photo: MTI/KKM

Furthermore, Mr. Magyar added that the main focus of the meeting with the Deputy National Security Advisor was Ukraine and that the main difference of opinion was on the path to peace. While the United States sees the solution in military support for Ukraine and financing the war, Hungary wants to keep the war front as far away from its borders as possible, he noted. “We believe that the best way to keep this situation as far away from our country as possible is to have a ceasefire and subsequent peace talks as soon as possible,” explained Levente Magyar.

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During the meeting, the issue of relations with China was also discussed, where there are also differences in approach, as the United States sees China as a global competitor, while Hungary sees economic advantages in Chinese investment and economic cooperation. The Secretary of State highlighted that

the government listens to the US position, but shapes its foreign policy in Hungary’s interests.

He said that the Hungarian government does not see any point in Hungarian-Chinese cooperation that would tangibly harm the most basic interests of the Americans, for example in the field of national security, which “would be a different situation, but that is not the issue”.

Summing up the talks in Washington, the State Secretary stressed that the goal should be that Hungary and the United States “at least do not diverge more than they have so far”.

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