Today Hungary and the United States promote and protect the same values, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Tuesday evening at a reception of the Budapest Embassy of the United States held in the Congress Centre in Budapest on the occasion of the national holiday of the United States, the 243rd anniversary of Independence Day.

Regarding Hungarian-US relations, the Prime Minister said over the years, our relations have developed into a very colourful picture, full of excitement and emotions: we had our highs and lows.

Today the Hungarians feel that they are having good times, he said, thanking David Cornstein, United States Ambassador to Budapest for this.

He added that, in his view, relations between the two countries have always been determined by whether there was an overlap between the values promoted by the American administration and the values protected by the Hungarians.

Today the answer to this question is definitely yes, the Prime Minister stated.

In his words, the Americans have good reason to put America first, and for the same good reason the Hungarian people, too, believe that Hungary comes first.

We mutually respect each other’s patriotic position, both countries believe that guaranteeing their citizens’ security is an obligation of the state, that equality between men and women is a value that must be protected, and that “the bases of our nations” are families which consist of a father, a mother and their children on whom we can establish our future.

He also said they are not prepared to accept the hypocrisy of modern politics which neglects the fact that today Christianity is the most persecuted religion globally. Hungary and the United States are determined to work together to help Christian communities in need, he highlighted.

He pointed out that Hungary as a Central European country has understood the lessons of history: whenever there were conflicts between the East and the West the Central Europeans have always lost.

This is why Hungary has a vested interest in peace and stability in the region, and is well aware that the best way to achieve this is through its membership of NATO, the world’s most successful defence alliance, he said.

Looking back on the history of the United States, the Prime Minister highlighted that 243 years ago the Americans declared the independence of their country, and during this long period of time it has been proven that, without doubt, an exceptional country and an exceptional nation have come into being.

Mr Orbán, who last attended the Budapest US Embassy’s Independence Day event nine years ago, finally reassured the United States that they can count on Hungary in the fight for common values, whether in meeting rooms or on battlefields.

In his welcome address, David Cornstein, the US Ambassador to Budapest said Independence Day is a very special and unique holiday for every American; all Americans come together to celebrate freedom and the rule of law. He spoke about his relationship with Mr Orbán in words of praise, describing the Prime Minister as a partner and a friend, and also praised relations between the two countries.

After the speeches, American-Canadian singer Paul Anka performed before several hundred invited guests.

(MTI)