The head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee told Hungarian journalists in Washington on Friday that the United States was sympathetic to Hungary’s stance in respect of Slovakia’s language law.
Zsolt Nemeth, concluding an official three-day visit, said that he saw hope that the US would side with the principle of protecting language rights.
“There is a good cause for hope that the US will give clear expression to the kind of European commitment which we have experienced in the protection of language rights,” the Fidesz politician said, adding that he felt there was no essential difference between the Hungarian and American standpoints on the issue.
Nemeth said that Hungarian-US relations were balanced. Asked about the new ambassador to Budapest, a Democratic Party fundraiser, Nemeth said that ever since Hungary’s change in political system Washington had sent a politically appointed official to Budapest and this reflects the recognition, rank and regard for the country. He said that Hungary had so far done very well out of politically appointed US ambassadors. Nemeth added that he trusted that the new ambassador of Greek origin, with her extensive contacts and experience of the region would stand behind the protection of minorities and be of great service to bilateral relations.
Otherwise, the main subjects of discussion in talks with senior US officials had embraced the new challenges facing NATO and energy security. Nemeth said that the US stood firmly behind energy diversification, and, in this respect, the Nabucco gas pipeline project has a priority role.
Nemeth said that relations with Russia should be put on a more pragmatic footing and its sphere-of-influence politics should be rejected, a stance, he said, which is shared by Washington.
