The
new Hungarian Minister of Economy, Mr. János Kóka concluded his official
visit to Washington yesterday. Minister
Kóka met with several high-ranking members of the U.S. administration,
including with Deputy Secretary of Commerce Theodore W. Kassinger and
Assistant Secretary William H. Lash, III.
At
the White House, the Minister had discussions with Amb. Daniel Fried,
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European and
Eurasian Affairs of the National Security Council, Kristin J. Forbes,
member of the President's Council of Economic Advisers, and Victoria J.
Nuland, Principal Deputy Assistant to the Vice President for National
Security Affairs.
The
Minister had successful meetings with former Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright, former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft and several
representatives of the business community as well.
At his meeting with
Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky, Minister Kóka expressed the
Hungarian Government’s determination to launch a Democracy Center in
Budapest, the objective of which is to collect and share experience of
democratic transition. He reiterated Hungary's commitment to a stron
trans-Atlantic relationship. He also stressed: Hungary still considers
itself as part of the coalition in Iraq and is sending troops to support
democratization efforts through NATO.
During
his visit Mr. Kóka emphasized his commitment to maintain strong business
ties and further strengthen the good trade and investment relations
between the United States and Hungary. The minister introduced the new
economic program of the Hungarian Government, which includes simplifying
the bureaucracy for investors, supporting the expansion of Hungarian
businesses abroad, improving the condition for research, developing
industrial and logistics parks, etc.
Hungary
has developed into one of the most attractive business environments in
Central Europe and
is a profitable business partner with a supportive government, a good
place for investment and trade for US companies. The main areas we focus
our activities on in the field of cooperation and investments are the
high-tech, IT, life-science, biotechnology and high-value-added segments
of the automotive and electronic industries.
Minister Kóka with Deputy
Secretary of Commerce Theodore W. Kassinger and Amb. Simonyi
Amb. Simonyi, Madeleine Albright, and Minister Kóka
Minister Kóka with Brent Scowcroft
Minister Kóka (right) with Under Secretary of State
Paula Dobriansky and Amb. Simonyi
