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Foreign Minister: Hungary and the US have started to rebuild their political ties

Péter Szijjártó said ties had revolved around the pillars of the economy and defense, but ever since the Republican administration assumed power, political relations had started to improve rapidly

Following a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Budapest on Monday, the foreign minister has said that Hungary and the United States have started to rebuild their political ties.

Péter Szijjártó told a joint press conference that ties had revolved around the pillars of the economy and defense, but ever since the Republican administration assumed power, political relations had started to improve rapidly.

Minister Szijjártó said the secretary of state’s visit to Hungary is a testament to this improvement of relations between the two countries. He said the Hungarian government and the Trump administration shared an identical or very similar approach to various political and international issues.

The minister pointed out that both nations believe that one of the basic tasks of the state is to guarantee the security of its citizens. This is why the United States and Hungary have cooperated in fighting against the United Nations Global Migration Compact, he added.

Minister Szijjártó said both countries are determined to protect Christian heritage and Christian communities worldwide, and they are both active in international organizations to promote the fair treatment of Israel.

The minister also highlighted that a new bilateral defense cooperation agreement that updated the one signed between the US and Hungary in 1997 was a response to novel security challenges. Relevant talks have been concluded, he said, adding that the draft agreement will be submitted to the defense committee of Hungary’s parliament next week.

The foreign minister said he had asked Pompeo’s help to urge ExxonMobil to come to a decision as soon as possible on extracting gas in Romania, allowing Hungary to move forward in diversifying its gas purchases.

The minister also noted that the US is Hungary’s second biggest investor, with 1,700 US companies employing 105,000 Hungarians.