Hungarian Foreign Minister Ferenc
Somogyi paid an official visit to Washington, DC, on March 31 and April 1.
During his visit, he met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul
Wolfowitz and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Jackson. At
Congress, he met with Senator John McCain and Congressman Tom Lantos.
Minister Somogyi also met with former Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright, former National Security Advisors Zbigniew Brzezinski and Brent
Scowcroft. He gave a public address at the Atlantic Council.
During his discussions, Minister Somogyi
highlighted Hungary's efforts to share its experience in democratic
transition with interested countries through a Democracy Center to be set
up in Budapest later this year, as well as its commitment to assist
neighboring countries in their Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
The contribution of Hungary to the fight
against terrorism as well as its participation in the stabilization
efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan were key elements in Minister Somogyi's
discussions with U.S. officials. The Foreign Minister emphasized the
importance of Hungary's future inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver program
through bilateral cooperation in the framework of the road map.
Foreign Minister Somogyi with Secretary Rice at a joint
press availability
Minister Somogyi and Amb. Simonyi with Deputy Secretary
of Defense Paul Wolfowitz
U.S ambassador to Hungary George Hebert Walker with
Minister Somogyi, Under Secretary of State Nick Burns and Amb. Simonyi
Amb. Walker, Minister Somogyi, Senator McCain and Amb.
Simonyi
Amb. Walker, Minsiter Somogyi, Deputy Secretary of
Homeland Security Michael Jackson and Amb. Simonyi
Minister Somogyi with representatives of the local
Hungarian American community
Meeting with former secretary of state Madeleine
Albright
Minister Somogyi speaking at the Atlantic Council
