March 21, 2009

Hungary's Defense Minister Visits U.S., Meets with Secretary Gates and General Jones


Hungary’s Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres visited the United States on March 10-14, 2009. He met with his U.S. partners to talk about the challenges NATO faces, U.S.-Hungarian security and defense cooperation, the allied efforts in Afghanistan, and the C-17 strategic airlift capability project.
 

Minister Imre Szekeres speaking at the reception honoring his visit and marking the 10th anniversary of Hungary's joining NATO

Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi, the host of the reception


On March 10, Ambassador Somogyi hosted a reception in honor of the Minister’s visit and marking the 10th anniversary of Hungary’s membership in NATO, at the Hungarian Embassy. At the celebration, remarks were delivered by Minister Szekeres, Ambassador Somogyi, Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried and Chairman-Emerita of the Hungarian American Coalition Edith Lauer. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow was among those sharing this occasion with the ministerial delegation, members of the diplomatic corps and the allied armed forces.
 

 

Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried addressing the participants of the reception

Hungarian American leader Edith Lauer remembering the road leading to success of the 1997 referendum and Hungary's NATO membership in 1999

President of the Hungarian American Coalition Maximilian Teleki, Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres, Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried, Ambassador Alexander Vershbow


On March 11, Minister Szekeres met with James Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State at the State Department, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at the Pentagon and General James Jones, National Security Adviser, at the National Security Council. At the Pentagon, he also met with Michael Vickers, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict.
 

Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres and Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg

Ambassador Somogyi, interpreter Alex B-Lawani, Minister Szekeres, Deputy Secretary Steinberg

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates greeting Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres at the Pentagon

Secretary Gates and Minister Szekeres on the steps of the Pentagon

Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres and Lt. Gen. László Tömböl, Commander of the Hungarian Joint Forces, speaking with  Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres with National Security Advisor Gen. James Jones


He spoke about his meetings to the international and Hungarian media at a Newsmaker at the National Press Club.
 

Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres speaking to the media at the National Press Club

Newsmaker by Minister Szekeres at the National Press Club

Washington Times diplomatic columnist James Morrison, Minister of Defense Imre Szekeres, PBS News Hour editor Mike Mosettig at a press breakfast


On March 12, the Defense Minister gave a speech titled NATO in the 21st Century as part of the Senior European Dialogue at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In Congress on March 12, he met with Congressman John Tanner, president of NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and with Senator Ben Nelson, Co-Chair of the Senate Air Force Caucus. At Fort McNair, he was hosted by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau,  General Craig McKinley.
 

Minister Szekeres addressing the CSIS Senior European Dialogue

The Minister spoke about NATO in the 21st century

Julianne Smith (CSIS) and Minister Szekeres


Following their meetings, the Defense Minister’s delegation flew to Long Beach, CA, where they visited Boeing’s C-17 manufacturing plant. Three years ago, several Partnership for Peace nations and NATO members decided to participate in NATO’s Strategic Airlift Capability program by sharing in the purchase and operating costs of three C-17 aircraft which are going to be based at the Pápa Air Base in Hungary. On March 13, Minister Szekeres with several NATO, U.S. Air Force and Boeing officials celebrated the joining of the plane's major parts and the 12 nations that came together to purchase the aircraft.