.

Gyorgy Szapáry presented his credentials as Hungary’s ambassador to the United States in February, capping a long and prestigious career in policy, politics, and finance.

Szapáry left Hungary in 1956 in the midst of a failed uprising against the Soviets, moving to Austria and then Belgium to finish his education. He took a job with the commission of the European Common Market for two years in the 1960s before moving to Washington in 1966 to work for the International Monetary Fund—an organization he would stay with for almost three decades.

He returned to Hungary in 1990 as the country set off on its path back to democracy. For 13 years, he worked at the National Bank of Hungary—including serving as deputy governor—and joined the board of directors at Hungary’s largest commercial bank after the expiration of his term.

When Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban came back to power last June, Szapáry became his chief economic policy advisor—a role he continues to play today in addition to his ambassadorship in Washington.

[DIPLOMATIC COURIER]: What are your main goals as Ambassador?

[AMBASSADOR SZAPÁRY]: I have three main goals. First, I want to represent the Hungarian government’s views to the U.S. authorities, explaining my government’s policy decisions and informing the American public at large by participating in conferences and discussions in Washington and across the United States.

Second, I want to strengthen bilateral relations between the Hungarian and American business communities by talking to investors and investment banks operating in the United States. I also plan to keep in close touch with international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

Third, I want to share the cultural heritage of Hungary. We have already organized several events here at the embassy, such as concerts by famous Hungarian pianists and exhibitions by various artists.

[DC]: How will Hungary’s turn at the helm of the EU presidency be best remembered several years from now?

[AMBASSADOR SZAPÁRY]: I’m very hopeful that the EU package to improve economic governance will be completed during our presidency. If so, people will remember that under the Hungarian presidency very strong steps were taken to strengthen economic governance.

I think they will also remember that we have put Roma integration high on the agenda, and that we have also prioritized regional cooperation on energy and enlargement of EU towards the Balkans.

[DC]: With a permanent EU President, can the rotating presidency still be relevant?

[AMBASSADOR SZAPÁRY]: Under the new Lisbon Treaty, external and security-related issues are handled by the EU itself. The role of the rotating presidency is to set the agenda and coordinate work in all other areas with the help of the EU Commission.

Most of the times, the presidency inherits the issues on the table. But if a presidency prioritizes one or two programs and pushes for their implementation, then they can get a jump-start. As an example, let me mention the Eastern Partnership. This is not a new initiative, but Hungary is trying to give new impetus to it. So the presidency has this role.

[DC]: Hungary’s presidency has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start—is it being overblown in the media?

[AMBASSADOR SZAPÁRY]: Yes. For instance, the criticism over the media law has been overblown. I believe it will eventually die down because the government is committed to the freedom of the press and has said it will make the changes in the law that the EU thinks are necessary to be in line with EU directives. Discussions are going on between the government and the EU Commission to that effect.

The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.

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Interview with Gyorgy Szapáry, Newly Arrived Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S.

March 6, 2011

Gyorgy Szapáry presented his credentials as Hungary’s ambassador to the United States in February, capping a long and prestigious career in policy, politics, and finance.

Szapáry left Hungary in 1956 in the midst of a failed uprising against the Soviets, moving to Austria and then Belgium to finish his education. He took a job with the commission of the European Common Market for two years in the 1960s before moving to Washington in 1966 to work for the International Monetary Fund—an organization he would stay with for almost three decades.

He returned to Hungary in 1990 as the country set off on its path back to democracy. For 13 years, he worked at the National Bank of Hungary—including serving as deputy governor—and joined the board of directors at Hungary’s largest commercial bank after the expiration of his term.

When Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban came back to power last June, Szapáry became his chief economic policy advisor—a role he continues to play today in addition to his ambassadorship in Washington.

[DIPLOMATIC COURIER]: What are your main goals as Ambassador?

[AMBASSADOR SZAPÁRY]: I have three main goals. First, I want to represent the Hungarian government’s views to the U.S. authorities, explaining my government’s policy decisions and informing the American public at large by participating in conferences and discussions in Washington and across the United States.

Second, I want to strengthen bilateral relations between the Hungarian and American business communities by talking to investors and investment banks operating in the United States. I also plan to keep in close touch with international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

Third, I want to share the cultural heritage of Hungary. We have already organized several events here at the embassy, such as concerts by famous Hungarian pianists and exhibitions by various artists.

[DC]: How will Hungary’s turn at the helm of the EU presidency be best remembered several years from now?

[AMBASSADOR SZAPÁRY]: I’m very hopeful that the EU package to improve economic governance will be completed during our presidency. If so, people will remember that under the Hungarian presidency very strong steps were taken to strengthen economic governance.

I think they will also remember that we have put Roma integration high on the agenda, and that we have also prioritized regional cooperation on energy and enlargement of EU towards the Balkans.

[DC]: With a permanent EU President, can the rotating presidency still be relevant?

[AMBASSADOR SZAPÁRY]: Under the new Lisbon Treaty, external and security-related issues are handled by the EU itself. The role of the rotating presidency is to set the agenda and coordinate work in all other areas with the help of the EU Commission.

Most of the times, the presidency inherits the issues on the table. But if a presidency prioritizes one or two programs and pushes for their implementation, then they can get a jump-start. As an example, let me mention the Eastern Partnership. This is not a new initiative, but Hungary is trying to give new impetus to it. So the presidency has this role.

[DC]: Hungary’s presidency has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start—is it being overblown in the media?

[AMBASSADOR SZAPÁRY]: Yes. For instance, the criticism over the media law has been overblown. I believe it will eventually die down because the government is committed to the freedom of the press and has said it will make the changes in the law that the EU thinks are necessary to be in line with EU directives. Discussions are going on between the government and the EU Commission to that effect.

The views presented in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of any other organization.