US Ambassador Colleen Bell has been awarded Hungary’s Order of Merit, middle cross, by Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The outgoing ambassador has served in Hungary since January 2015 and will be leaving her post January 20, 2017.
Minister Szijjártó said that the ambassador had taken her post in Hungary at a time when “bilateral political cooperation was not at its best... and the situation has greatly changed since," he said.
The minister praised Bell’s commitment to rebuilding ties and noted her “unconditional respect” for Hungary. The key to success is “mutual respect and continuous dialogue," Minister Szijjártó said.
Speaking about challenges facing the transatlantic community, Ambassador Bell said cooperation and commitment to shared values were crucial. She added that as ambassador she had worked to promote ties between the people of Hungary and her country.