The tragic events of 9/11 resonated outside the borders of the United States. The Hungarian government expressed its sympathy and ordinary people shared the sorrow for the wounded, the victims, their families, and the whole American nation.

Mr. József Zelei, a Hungarian citizen, launched a personal quest after the attacks of 9/11: he created his own “Book of Peace,” in which he collects signatures of ordinary citizens who wish to show their support for a better world. He did this in Hungary, but also travelled more than 17,000 miles by bicycle in every country of Europe during the past years in order to declare his opposition to terrorism. He organized raffles for kids, planted trees with the local communities, started bicycle rides, or inspired people in other ways.

This year he flew to Canada and rode by bicycle from Ottawa to Washington, D.C., and then up to New York, remembering the 10th anniversary of the attacks to gather several thousands of new signatures in his “Book of Peace.” He was received in the State Department by Ms. Jean B. Leedy, PAO for Central Europe, and Mr. Matthew Singer, Desk Officer for Hungary (pictured).

Mr. Zelei was invited to the Embassy of Hungary in Washington, D.C. The cooperation of the governments of Hungary and the United States intensified, Hungarian and American soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder in Iraq and continue their fight together in Afghanistan. Agreements on intelligence sharing and security cooperation contribute to our common security. In recent years cooperation in the field of law enforcement and the fight against terrorism between the European Union and the United States has intensified. During the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union such important issues as the EU-US PNR Agreement as well as the TFTP Agreement were negotiated.

Mr. Zelei’s endeavor however shows how people-to-people ties are getting stronger in every aspect – happy or sad – of life. He continued his journey to New York to Ground Zero to express his opinion on the same topic. Before his commemorative travel to the United States Mr. Zelei met with President of the Republic of Hungary Pál Schmitt who signed the Peace Book last November and wished him success in his endeavor.