Embassy Highlights
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Ambassador Foley Joins Minister Szekeres in a Farewell Ceremony for Hungarian Peacekeepers Headed for Afghanistan
 | From left: Idikó Szappanos, Headmistress of Szolnok school, Ambassador Foley, Defense Minister Szekeres, General András Havril Chief of Defense, Hungary, Hungarian Joint Forces Command, Commander, Lieutenant General Tömböl (Embassy photo by Katalin Nádas - full size photo) |
On August 18, 2008, Ambassador April Foley was a guest of the Ministry of Defense at the Hungarian Provincial Reconstruction Team's fifth departure ceremony held in Szolnok, in the company of the German, Bulgarian, and Slovak Ambassadors. Hungarian Defense Minister Imre Szekeres, host of the event, announced in his remarks that the U.S. has given 27 armored jeeps (see photos: armored jeep, armored jeep in convoy) to the Hungarian military, and has provided, and will continue to provide, special training for the PRT's bomb disposal crew. Following the ceremony, the Minister and his guests attended a reception at the local Military Club, where Ambassador Foley noted how much the event reminded her of the ceremony for her son when he departed for Iraq. Ambassador Foley then proceeded to one of the largest elementary schools in Szolnok, adjacent to the Hungarian Ministry of Defense's (MOD) Peace Support and Training Center (MOD PSTC), where she inaugurated a playground constructed by the Florida Air National Guard's 202nd Red Horse Squadron. In her remarks, the Ambassador thanked the hard-working members of the squadron, and stressed that the donation of the playground set represents a fundamental belief, shared by Americans and Hungarians, that building a community where children have a good life is doing one of the most important things for a nation as a whole. (full text)
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Current Issues |
Hungarian Parliamentarians Look at Agricultural Biotechnology in the U.S. Coordinated by the Embassy's Foreign Agricultural Service, a group of Hungarian Parliamentarians received first-hand information on agricultural biotechnology during a week-long visit to the U.S. at the end of August. The Hungarian delegation spent its first two days in Washington, DC where they were received by Michael Yost, the FAS/USDA Administrator, and then met with representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration. The visit continued in Boone and Des Moines, Iowa, the agricultural heartland of America. The delegation saw a Farm Progress Show and spent time with Monsanto discussing new farming technology. They also met with leading scientists at the Iowa State University and examined the issue of biofuels and food. Given the importance of agriculture in both Hungary and the U.S., the Hungarian visitors found much in common with their American interlocutors. (full size photo)
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Discusses Situation in Georgia with Hungarian Media Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Euroasian Affairs, Matthew Bryza conducted a digital video press conference on the crisis in Georgia with representatives of the Hungarian media on August 28th. Having recently returned from a visit to Tbilisi, Mr. Bryza was able to bring his audience up to date on the state of affairs in that region. Besides reviewing the background of the current crisis and the steps taken by both sides that brought it about, he elaborated on the U.S. humanitarian support that is being provided to the Georgians right now. He stressed that this unfortunate event does not mean a return to the Cold War, and assured his listeners that the planned Nabucco pipeline is not endangered and Georgia remains open for business. (full size photo)
Recognition for Decades of Building Strong Hungarian-American Relations On August 25, Hungarian Foreign Minister, Kinga Göncz presented this year's Chain Bridge prizes to three individuals, one of whom is a prominent Hungarian-American, Professor Charles Gati of Johns Hopkins University. The honor is granted annually to eminent personalities who promote Hungary's international standing. Professor Gati received his prize for decades of work on strengthening the Hungarian-American relationship and building up the image of Hungary in the United States. The awards ceremony was attended by Ambassador Foley, Defense Minister Szekeres and by members of the Hungarian Parliament. (full size photo)
Ambassador Foley Praises Chess as Means to Further Girls’ Advancement On August 22, Ambassador Foley spoke to 35 girls between the ages of 6-16 at the 20th Zoltán Kovács International Girls’ Chess Tournament at Statisztika Sport Hall in Budapest. The girls were representing the host country, Hungary, as well as Romania, Germany and Serbia. The winner of the competition will be awarded with a one-week stay in the U.S. including an opportunity to participate in a U.S. girls’ chess tournament. In her remarks, Ambassador Foley emphasized that this chess tournament is a perfect opportunity for girls from different countries to network and improve their intellectual skills through competition. (full size photo)
Embassy Engages Youth at One of Europe’s Largest Summer Festivals From August 13 to 17, 2008, the U.S. Embassy operated an informational tent at one of Europe’s largest summer festivals, the Sziget Festival, which this year attracted more than 70,000 young people daily. In the tent, representatives from the Embassy and from three educational advising organizations--the Fulbright Commission, the International Institute for Education and the Hungarian American Enterprise Scholarship Fund--provided information about studying in and traveling to the United States. Each day the Embassy organized thematic programs to introduce various aspects of American culture (music, dance, diversity, sports and elections) and engaged youth interactively in activities that could bring them closer to the United States. (full text with video and photo gallery - full size photo)
Embassy Accepts Books for Pápa Schools from Department of Defense One of many important issues concerning the establishment of the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) at Pápa Air Base has been dependent education. To provide support to quality, English-language education in the surrounding community, the U.S. Embassy investigated the availability of English-language books and other media at closing U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) in Europe. A wealth of such material was found at the DoDDS-Europe depot in Mainz-Kastel, which the U.S. Department of Defense agreed to donate to U.S. Embassy Budapest. The Embassy can and will legally transfer these items to the appropriate educational authorities in Pápa. The same C-17 performing at this year's Kecskemét airshow delivered the books to Pápa Air Base on Thursday afternoon, 14 August 2008. (full size photo)
Executive Education Programs at Harvard University with HAESF Scholarship In the fall of 2008, the Hungarian-American Enterprise Scholarship Fund (HAESF) is launching the Executive Education Program to enable mid-level and senior level executives to participate in short-term executive programs offered by the Harvard Business School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Applications are to be submitted to HAESF directly, and accepted applications must meet the requirements of HAESF as well as of Harvard University. HAESF will support successful applicants financially, covering tuition, roundtrip airfare to Boston, Massachusetts, as well as living costs during the entire duration of the respective programs. (full text)
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