On June 17, 2011 the Embassy organized a conference on transatlantic relations hosted by the Center for Transatlantic Relations, SAIS and co-sponsored by the Embassy of Poland, the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) and the Polish Institute of International Affairs.

The conference concluded the Hungarian EU Presidency in Washington, D.C., drawing attention to the importance of a strong EU-U.S. partnership in the face of mounting global challenges. It was also a torch-passing of sorts between the Hungarian and Polish Presidencies, highlighting the common objectives for practical US-EU cooperation along American and Central European interests.

Zsolt Németh, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Hungary delivering his opening speech at the conference

A large audience was interested in the achievements of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

After the welcoming words of Ambassador Kurt Volker, Managing Director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations, SAIS and Wess Mitchell, President of the Center for European Policy Analysis, Zsolt Németh, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Hungary delivered an opening speech to the large audience. He shared his belief that Hungary and the other Central European countries are able to provide a bridge between the EU and the U.S. The Minister of State discussed the priorities and main achievements of the Hungarian presidency. Emphasized the shared values our partnership is based on, and the commitment on both sides of the Atlantic to face common challenges.

Four panels covered the Transatlantic approach on global issues, the Eastern Partnership of the EU, the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Balkans, and the European energy security

The conference specified four key areas of shared interests: a transatlantic approach on global issues, support for the Eastern Partnership initiative of the EU, fostering the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans, and enhancing European energy security. Senior Hungarian government officials, foreign policy experts and scholars, as well as representatives of the private sector actors were among the speakers.

Daniel Fried, Former Ambassador to Poland, Special Envoy for Guantanamo delivering his closing remarks

The conference and the Hungarian EU Presidency were symbolically closed by an evening reception at the Embassy of Hungary, where speakers and guests had the opportunity to take account of the work done, the events organized, and the goals achieved during these six month in Washington, D.C.

Guests of the Closing reception listening to the speakers at the Embassy of Hungary

The winner of the First Diplomatic Photo Contest and Exhibition – selected by Curator of the Art in the Embassies program of the State Department, Ms. Virginia Shore - was announced. Zdravko Zdravkov received a book on Photography in Central Europe and a Zsolnay porcelain vase. The winner of the EU Open House Washington-Budapest American Airlines ticket sweepstakes, Ileana Smeureanu, also received the tickets at the reception.

Ileana Smeureanu receives the EU Open House Washington-Budapest American Airlines tickets from Ambassador Szapáry

Curator of the Art in the Embassies program of the State Department, Ms. Virginia Shore with the winning photo