On Monday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Tibor Navracsics said that Hungary's foreign policy continues to focus on its Euro-Atlantic obligations, Central European neighbourhood policy and a commitment to the policy for Hungarian communities abroad.

Addressing an annual meeting of mission leaders, Mr. Navracsics noted that the Ministry's name had recently changed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, creating one of the strongest portfolios in the Government.

Hungary has not reduced its commitment towards NATO or the EU, but the country is not afraid to assert its rights as a member, the Minister said.

He praised the cooperation of the Visegrád grouping of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia (V4) as one of the most successful regional alliances in Europe, adding that it was worth considering integrating Croatia and Slovenia into the grouping.

On the subject of Hungarians living outside Hungary, Mr. Navracsics said that the situation has deteriorated, given the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine; this, he said, is not moving towards resolution.

Hungary's expanded diplomatic service has added cultural diplomacy to its range of functions, he noted. "Good cultural diplomacy can open up markets," he said. The three-day meeting of mission leaders started on Monday.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)