February 25, 2008

Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi Visits Los Angeles and Salt Lake City

Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi paid an official visit to Salt Lake City, Utah on February 19-20, 2008 and he solemnly opened the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Hungary. With this opening, Hungary has honorary representatives in more than a quarter of the United States. Mr. George Simon has been sworn in as the thirteenth Hungarian honorary consul in the US.

Consul General Balazs Bokor, Honorary Consul George Simon, Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi

The Ambassador also took part in a two-day business seminar organized by the Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency (ITD Hungary) at Utah State Chamber of Commerce. Ferenc Somogyi presented the economic and political situation of Hungary and highlighted the perspectives of the Hungarian-American bilateral business cooperation in his speech.

After the seminar the ITD Hungary and the State of Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in which they agreed that they will promote trade and business relations between the State of Utah and Hungary and keep each other informed on important economic and trade issues of common interest.  The MoU is focusing on facilitating the enhancement of technological cooperation between the companies, research centers, and universities.

He also met Jon Huntsman Jr., Governor of Utah and they have agreed on starting common projects in the fields of economy, culture, and science. Ferenc Somogyi delivered a lecture titled ‘Hungary and her Ally, the United States’ at Young Brigham University.

Ambassador Somogyi was among the first ones to meet Thomas S. Monson, the new President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other top Mormon church leaders after they have been appointed.

Honorary Consul George Simon, Church President Thomas S. Monson, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and Consul General Balázs Bokor

After his visit in Utah, the Ambassador traveled on to Los Angeles, California on February 21-22.  He visited the Hungarian Consulate General to Los Angeles and met with the staff of the mission.

Accompanied by Consul General Balázs Bokor, the Ambassador visited the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (CSMC), where they discussed possible cooperation between the CSMC and Hungarian medical institutions with Vice President Edward M. Prunchunas and Director Sándor Vári. Ambassador Somogyi also gave a lecture titled ‘Hungary, the Ally and Economic Partner of the United States’ at the Milken Institute, the Santa Monica based economic think tank. At the end of the program, the Ambassador visited the BOEING C-17 Facilities in Long Beach, California.  He talked about the future use of military airport at Pápa, Hungary, where the headquarters of NATO Strategic Airlift Capability is currently being set up.

Actress Éva Szörényi and Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi

The ambassador paid a visit to the famous Hungarian actress, Éva Szörényi, who will celebrate the 75^th anniversary of her first on stage performance in April 2009.

Consul General Balázs Bokor, Professor Tamás Ungvári, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, Consul Gábor Kaleta

The Ambassador participated at the reception given by the Consul General in his honor.

Commissioner Frank de Balogh, Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, Commissioner Andrew Friedman

Ambassador Somogyi also met Mr. Andrew Friedman, attorney at law, the commissioner of the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles.