Mr.
Ambassador:
I am pleased to accept your Letter of Credence from President
Ferenc Madl, which establishes you as Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Hungary, and I acknowledge the Letter
of Recall of your predecessor. Thank you for your greetings on behalf of
His Excellency.
The friendship between Hungary and the United States is deep and
longstanding, and has consistently been rooted in the quest for democracy
and free markets. From Lajos Kossuth’s visit to America in 1851-52
through the dark, yet still hopeful days of the Cold War and 1956, through
the triumph of 1989, our two peoples have been engaged in a common
struggle for freedom.
Many of Hungary’s citizens, seeking to escape the oppression of
the Cold War era, came to the United States. My country welcomed and
protected them, but the benefits flowed in both directions.
Hungarian-Americans continue to this day to bless the United States with
their hard work, intellect, and dedication to freedom.
Today, 13 years after the end of communism in Europe, the fruits of
the Hungarian people’s struggle have been realized. Hungary has returned
to its rightful place in a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace.
Democratic and market institutions are in place and functioning to improve
the life of every citizen of Hungary. While completing its transition from
totalitarianism to an open society, Hungary has served as a model, both
politically and economically, for others around the globe who still seek
to break the bonds of tyranny.
While Hungary was striving to turn the dreams of its people into
reality, the United States and Hungary achieved a relationship that was
once unthinkable – a common political and security alliance in NATO,
unshakeable economic ties in the form of trade and impressive levels of
U.S. investment in Hungary, and an ongoing partnership to rid the world of
terrorism once and for all.
Now it is incumbent on us both to deepen our bilateral ties,
improve NATO’s performance, stand shoulder-to-shoulder as we fight the
global war on terrorism, and make the world’s economy more open and
responsive for all. I look forward to working with you to ensure that we
are able to reach these goals.
I welcome you to Washington as Hungary’s Ambassador and wish you
the very best. I encourage you to reach out to Americans across the
country as a representative of your government and your people. You will
find Americans will reciprocate with warmth, understanding and friendship.
I am certain of your success in the United States and believe that
you will build on the fine work of your predecessors to strengthen
U.S.-Hungarian relations.
