Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky presented his credentials to Her Majesty the Queen on 15 November 2016. He was accompanied to the Buckingham Palace by Alistair Harrison, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Beáta Margitay-Becht deputy head of mission, Colonel József Gulyás defence attache, Edina Cserjés head of consulate and Máté Pesti investment and trade attache.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky presented his credentials to Her Majesty the Queen on 15 November 2016. He was accompanied to the Buckingham Palace by Alistair Harrison, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Beáta Margitay-Becht deputy head of mission, Colonel József Gulyás defence attache, Edina Cserjés head of consulate and Máté Pesti investment and trade attache.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky met Sir Eric Pickles, Conservative MP, Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust issues of the UK government on 18 October 2016 in the House of Commons. 

The parties exchanged views about developments in the field of fighting against antisemitism in Hungary and the UK respectively, prospects of the Brexit process and other current topics of mutual interest.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky hosted a working breakfast with Annamarie Phelps CBE, Chair of British Rowing, and Szabolcs Bényi, Chair of Hungarian Rowing Association to discuss best practices, and future cooperation opportunities, such as the 2019 Masters World Championship in Hungary.

Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky attended the World Alzheimer’s Ball and prior to the event hosted a dinner in honour of some prominent guests of the Ball as a contribution to the charity event. The event was promoted by Lady Barbara Judge CBE, Chairman of the Special Events Support Committee for Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK.

Explaining the reason for the Hungarian participation in the event, the Ambassador underlined that improving people’s mental health, including that of those who suffer from dementia, is regarded as a priority by the Hungarian government and  Hungary is committed to the international endeavours aimed at supporting people with dementia and improving relevant practices in this field.

The Ball helped to send a powerful message about the importance of championing the dementia agenda. According to the organisers, the money, raised through sponsorship, table and ticket sales, pledges and a luxury silent auction will be used for researching dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky met Steve Summers, Lord Mayor of Westminster to discuss future cooperation opportunities between Hungary, her capital Budapest, and Westminster in the fields of culture, sports, and education.

Zoltán Kovács, Government Spokesperson at the Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister of Hungary visited London on 12 September 2016. The aim of the visit was to provide information about the referendum on mandatory EU migrant quotas due to take place on 2 October in Hungary, share the latest economic figures of Hungary, as well as exchange views about the post-Brexit situation.

In the framework of a press breakfast, Mr Kovacs had a discussion with representatives of the British media and later exchanged views with Hungarian correspondents working in London. During the visit, the Spokesperson had a working lunch with Colin Bloom, Director for Outreach at the Conservative Party, had background talks in the BBC, and was interviewed by Sky News.

The Ambassador had his first introductory meetings in the House of Commons and House of Lords during the week of 11-15 July 2016.

He met members of the Hungary All-Party Parliamentary Group to discuss the post-EU-referendum situation in Westminster and the Parliament’s role in the process. Brexit was the main topic of discussion with prominent Eurosceptic Bill Cash MP, Chair of the EU Scrutiny Committee and Lord Boswell, Chair of the EU Select Committee.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky hosted a dinner on 23 November 2016 in honour of MPs and peers with an interest in Hungary.

The Ambassador had an exchange of views with the participants about the political and economic landscape in Hungary and the United Kingdom, as well as the aftermath of the Brexit vote. Mr Bob Neill MP, Chair of the Hungary All-Party Parliamentary Hungary Group, Sir William Cash MP, Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee of the House of Commons and Sir Edward Leigh MP represented the UK Conservative Party, while Dame Rosie Winterton MP, Lord Gordon of Strathblane, Lord Anderson of Swansea, Lord Davies of Stamford and Clive Betts MP were present from the Labour Party. Mark Boleat, Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee represented the City of London contributed with the business angle to the discussion.

The Fórum Klub lecture featuring József Simola, CFO of MOL Group was held at the Embassy on 24 November 2016.

The audience of young Hungarian and international professionals working in the financial services industry, together with students of the most prominent universities of the United Kingdom could listen to a presentation about the future strategies and business model of MOL Group, followed by a Q&A session. During the discussion, participants could find out more about the alternative investment plans of MOL.

Levente Benkő, Deputy State Secretary, Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade visited London on 25 November 2016, where he had an exchange of views with his UK counterpart, Tim Barrow, Political Director of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Anthony Philipson, Director for Partnerships and Trade at the Department for Exiting the European Union, Sir William Cash, Conservative MP, Chair of the European Scrutiny Committee of the House of Commons and prominent UK opinion shapers, including senior officials from the FCO, politicians, think tank leaders and journalists.

During the talks, the parties had discussions about current topics of mutual interest, inter alia, prospects of the Brexit process, possible impacts of the recent US elections, recent developments of the migration crisis, and touched upon regional issues such as Russia, Ukraine, Western Balkans, Syria, Iran and Egypt.

Ágnes Hornung, Financial State Secretary of the Ministry of National Economy of Hungary arrived in London on 24 November 2016 for an official visit.

he held bilateral discussion with her British counterpart, Mr Simon Kirby, Economic Secretary to HM Treasury (City Minister). The two government officials reviewed the most important issues on the financial agenda of the She held bilateral discussion with her British counterpart, Mr Simon Kirby, Economic Secretary to HM Treasury (City Minister). The two government officials reviewed the most important issues on the financial agenda of the European Council and identified possible ways of further cooperation. Mr Kirby gave a brief overview of the state of play of the Brexit preparations as well as underlined that until the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, it will be an active and influential member of the EU28. During her two day visit the Financial State Secretary participated at numerous roundtable discussions with the representatives of the biggest financial institutions in the City of London and with credit rating agencies; and met high-level officials at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

A reception dedicated to celebrate the 10th anniversary of establishing the Westminster Business Council was held on 1st December at the Embassy of Hungary. The event was hosted by His Excellency Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Ambassador of Hungary to the UK. The London-based Business Council has approximately 12 thousand partners within its business network among them some of the most prominent companies in the British business world.

The Hungarian ambassador in his opening speech mentioned that he would like to continue to rely on the constructive cooperation between the Embassy and the organisation, with the aim of creating more awareness of Hungary and its business friendly environment among UK businesses. Following the opening remarks of Elizabeth Crowter-Hunt, CEO and Barry Malcolm Tucker, Chairman of the Westminster Business Council, the attendees could continue their conversations while some traditional Hungarian wine and snacks were served for them.