Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány met
with Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick today, with foreign
minister Ferenc Somogyi and minister of economy János Kóka also
attending the meeting.
In summary of his government's foreign
policy, Prime Minister Gyurcsány highlighted Hungary's simultaneous
commitment to trans-Atlantic relations and European integration. He
emphasized Hungary's interest in a strategic dialogue, and not
competition, between the United States and Europe. Intensive communication
is key to the success of such dialogue, as the experience of past years
shows that disputes have often been fueled by a lack of better
understanding of each other's policies and motivations. Europe and the
United States will only be able to live up to their global
responsibilities if they acknowledge, and are observant of, their
respective interests.
Mr. Zoellick indicated the decisive role
Eastern European countries, already part of NATO and the European Union,
can play in the radically changing World order as they did in 1989.
Transferring the lessons of democratic transition can accelerate the
dispersion of democratic institutions on a global level. He emphasized the
remarkable role Hungary plays in the region, and supported the
establishment of a Democracy Center in Budapest.
The Prime Minister and Mr. Zoellick
emphasized the need to intensify cooperation in the knowledge-based
economy, information technology and in industries that demand research and
development. Mr. Gyurcsány said Hungary is willing to play a regional
role to foster American investments in southeast Europe.
