The Hungarian government bows before the life’s work of historian and writer John Lukacs, Gergely Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office told the Hungarian news agency MTI on Wednesday by telephone from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, where he attended the memorial service held in memory of John Lukacs.

John Lukacs, Hungarian-born American historian and writer, recipient of the Széchenyi Prize, died a month ago, aged ninety-five.

Mr Gulyás highlighted that the government had already offered its condolences to the family earlier.

He said John Lukacs “endured and wrote the history” of the 20th century. Without his books, writings and essays on World War II, it is difficult to grasp the entire, complex history of the World War, he added, stressing that his works make the 20th century accessible to all.

“We are proud that throughout his life, he defined himself as a Hungarian also in the United States, fostered relations with Hungary, and always closely observed how the country which regained its freedom 1989-1990 made progress on the path which led through accession to NATO and the EU,” the Minister said.

Regarding his visit to the United States, Mr Gulyás said he will meet with Members of the Congress, representatives of non-governmental organisations and think tanks, and leaders of Jewish organisations, while in New York he will also attend a citizenship oath-taking ceremony.

In the context of Hungarian-US relations, he said for Hungary the United States is a prominent political, economic and military ally; the recent meeting of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and US President Donald Trump in Washington testified to the strength of this alliance.

“The Americans look upon Hungary as a reliable ally and also as an investment target that has excellent economic opportunities to offer,” the Minister said.

He finally observed the fact that from time to time the Democrats also drag Hungary into disputes between Democrats and Republicans in the United States is only a part of the usual party political battles; relations between the two countries are strong, and relations between the two leaders are positively cordial.

(MTI)