Washington Times - Embassy Row

March 18, 2008

'Lofty goals'

The Hungarian ambassador displayed his oratorical skills yesterday as he compared the pursuit of visa-free travel to the United States to Hungary's revolution of 1848, when the country rose up against the Hapsburg Empire.

"This past weekend, Hungarians here and back home celebrated the 160th anniversary of our 1848 revolution, whose main goals were liberty, equality and fraternity," Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi said. "With some flexibility, I think that these lofty goals are also somehow reflected in what we, together with our American friends, are working for."

He noted that "liberty manifests itself in the freedom to travel" and that "equality means equal access to each other's countries, as well as not to be considered as second-class members of the European Union."

The citizens of most of the Eastern European nations that joined the EU after the collapse of communism still must obtain visas before traveling to the United States, while Western European EU nations do not.

Mr. Somogyi joined Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in signing a memorandum of understanding that commits the United States to helping Hungary qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, under which foreigners can visit the United States for up to 90 days without the travel documents.

Mr. Chertoff has signed similar agreements with the Czech Republic, Estonia and Lithuania.

The ambassador thanked Mr. Chertoff and President Bush for their help in supporting Hungary's quest.

"We know that where we are now is not yet the end of the road," Mr. Somogyi said, calling the signing ceremony "a very tangible result of our joint efforts."