Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó concluded a new cluster of Hungarian-American economic agreements in the United States on Wednesday, while on Thursday he will be taking part in a meeting of Foreign Ministers with representatives of the international coalition fighting to halt the Islamic State terrorist organisation.

Mr. Szijjártó, who is on a two-day visit to Washington D.C., held talks with the influential directors of major American think tanks and research institutes on Wednesday, after which he concluded three important economic agreements, which will create new jobs in Hungary, with the heads of large American corporations.

The Minster told Hungarian news agency MTI that the research institute officials he met to discuss the situation in Europe included Executive Director of the McCain Institute Kurt Volker, Deputy Director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Jeff Rathke, Freedom House Vice President Robert Herman, APCO Worldwide’s Global Programs Director Joshua Walker and Professor Michael Czinkota, from Georgetown University.

Mr. Szijjártó told MTI he had told the researchers that the European Union is facing a historic challenge in view of the fact that the situation in Europe is, as the Minister put it, “not normal”. “Europe is facing the greatest threat in its history and if the European Union is not prepared to give up the hypocritical politics it has practiced until now and is not willing to call a spade a spade and solve the problems that lead to this state of affairs, then we will have to face even more serious problems in Europe”, he stressed.

At the meeting, Mr. Szijjártó also spoke about Brexit and the threat of terrorism. The upcoming exit of the British form the European Union and the major terrorist threat are indications that European politics must indeed change, he stressed. “European politics must develop in line with the interests of the people of Europe, to assure their safety”, he declared, adding that “One of the reasons Hungary and the Hungarian Government has succeeded in providing successful solution to the major challenges is that we focus on the safety of the Hungarian people”.

The Foreign Minister felt it was important to stress to the directors of the research institutes that Hungary is a strong supporter of further reinforcing cooperation between the United States and Europe both in an economic and political sense.

Mr. Szijjártó called Hungarian-American economic cooperation a success story and highlighted that there are currently 1600 American enterprises operating in Hungary employing some one hundred thousand people.

Last year, the United States rose to become the second highest investor in Hungary, meaning the USA is now Hungary’s largest foreign investor outside the European Union and the second largest worldwide.

The Foreign Minister’s business meetings and the agreements concluded on Wednesday afternoon are an excellent example of the close economic relations between the two countries.

Mr. Szijjártó met with nineteen directors of thirteen American corporations, and concluded three agreements.

The Minister told MTI that and American automotive industry supplier will be realising a 15 billion forint (EUR 47.5M) investment project in Hungary which will create 200 new jobs in the western area of the country. The new company will supply car manufacturers in Hungary and Central Europe. In reply to a question concerning the identity of the company, Mr. Szijjártó said “we will officially announce the project together in Hungary”.

An agreement was also successfully concluded with the world’s largest agricultural machinery manufacturer, which will be making grain silos in Hungary and creating 100 new jobs. Mr. Szijjártó also concluded an agreement with one of the USA’s largest media corporations concerning the filming and production of more movies and television series in Hungary. The company has spent 20 billion forints (EUR 63.5M) on film production in Hungary over the past two years.

In his statement to MTI, Mr. Szijjártó stressed that these agreements are further proof of the fact that Hungarian-American economic relations are a success story and that American capital had continued confidence in Hungary.

On Thursday, the Hungarian Foreign Minister will be attending a meeting, chaired by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, at which representatives of the international coalition against the Islamic State terrorist organisation will be debating the most important issues relating to the fight against terrorism.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)