Hungary's Minister of Economy and Transport Visited Washington, D.C.

Minister János Kóka visited the US from the 20^th to the 24^th of June to inform his counterparts in the Departments of Commerce, Department of Energy, National Security Council and State Department about the Hungarian convergence program as well as progress on economic reforms. He personally met with Secretary Gutierrez and Secretary Bodman, Under Secretary Sampson and National Security Council Senior Director for European Affairs, Judy A. Ansley.

Deputy Commerce Secretary David A. Sampson greets Minister János Kóka before a meeting at the Commerce Department

During a breakfast organized by the Business Council for International Understanding Minister Kóka talked to numerous representatives of large companies with ties to Hungary. The Minister assured his audience of the firm commitment by the Hungarian government  to implement a comprehensive program of social and economic modernization. He also emphasized his commitment to maintaining strong business ties and further strengthening the healthy trade and investment relations between the United States and Hungary.

Minister Kóka talked to numerous representatives of large companies with ties to Hungary

At a roundtable discussion at the Cato Institute the Minister explained the current economic and political environment in Hungary and how the government plans to keep the country on the right track by continuing the pursuit of reform programs. Specifically, he focused on the role that liberal policies will play in resurrecting Hungary.

Roundtable discussion at the Cato Institute

He met with 3 US companies, who are potential investors to the Hungarian market and were strongly interested in the current business situation in Hungary, reforms and fiscal measures.

Minister Kóka, the newly elected Chairman of the Alliance of Free Democrats was greeted at the House of Representatives by Congressmen Lantos and Rick Boucher, who is also member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The Minister visited the Monument of the Victims of Communism and left his wreath of remembrance.

Ambassador Simonyi, Minister Kóka, Maximilian Teleki, President of the Hungarian American Coalition, Lee Edwards, Chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation

During a meeting with Simeon Djankovic, Senior Economist in the Private Sector Advisory Services Department of the World Bank and creator of the Doing Business series, the Minister elaborated on a number of new measures that will improve the business environment and will increase the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy.   

A meeting with Frank Calzon, Executive, Director of the Center for a Free Cuba, provided an opportunity to express his party's views on the situation in Cuba.

Click on the link below to read Mr. Kóka's opinion piece titled 'Cuba: For peaceful regime change' that appeared in the Miami Herald:

http://www.miamiherald.com/851/story/148906.html)