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Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky was honoured to meet David Mundell, Secretary of State for Scotland on 18 January 2017 at Dover House.
During the meeting, the parties talked about recent developments in Hungary and Wales, also touching upon areas of mutual cooperation.

The European Union must come to a fair agreement with Britain as the absence of such an agreement would result in disastrous economic consequences for the EU, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said at his Wednesday press conference held in Budapest.

The Minister highlighted: Hungary’s expectation regarding the talks is that the EU cannot occupy an offended position. If it negotiates on the basis of having been offended, it cannot strike an agreement that is beneficial for it. 

The negotiations must be aimed at a free trade agreement that is as comprehensive and as broad as possible. We need the closest possible economic, trade and investor cooperation as Britain is an important business partner of Hungary, he added. 

Mr Szijjártó took the view that as at present the threat of terrorism is the most serious challenge in the life of the EU, we must maintain close security cooperation with Britain so that we may rely upon it in the collective protection of Europe.

He further stressed that an agreement must be reached within the shortest possible time in order to protect the rights of EU nationals working in the territory of Britain, and it is a fair idea that, in return for this, the rights of the Brits working in the territory of the EU, too, must be equally guaranteed. This is a good basis for the coming negotiations. 

The Foreign Minister said: the departure of Britain from the EU is bad news for the whole of Europe and for Hungary as the EU’s second and the world’s fifth largest economy is leaving the EU. At the same time, it is an express failure on the part of Brussels that the British people decided the way they did. Notwithstanding this circumstance, however, there have only been consequences in the form of resignations in London, while Brussels has failed to respond to the situation that has emerged in a like manner, he said. 

He remarked: the decision of the British people must be respected. They alone have the right to decide on the future of their country, and therefore all approaches that are critical of this decision must be rejected. 

As he said, there are radical changes taking place in the world which some acknowledge, while others dispute. But those who have so far denied that a new world order is emerging may now realise that they were wrong, he added. 

Mr Szijjártó said: it has become clear in recent months that „the models which were previously glorified have failed”, and dogmas believed to be irrefutable have disappeared in the fog. A much more patriotic American foreign and economic policy is about to unfold, Britain is leaving the EU, due to Brussels’ stubbornness, the crisis in relations between the EU and Russia is intensifying, and meanwhile, China is engaged in a process of radical expansion, he listed. 

He took the view that it follows from this that Europe must not make yet another mistake because that could have fatal consequences and Europe could fall behind without the hope of ever catching up. 

In the Foreign Minister’s opinion, the British Prime Minister’s statement made on Tuesday was a clear and straightforward speech, and in order to reach an agreement at the end of the talks which is satisfactory both for Britain and the EU, we need such open and sincere talk. We need an agreement which has no precedent to follow and which cannot be compared with any other already existing agreement, he said.

(MTI)

At a ceremony at the Embassy of Hungary in London on 18 January 2017 Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, on behalf of János Áder, President of Hungary, awarded the Commander’s cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary to Lord Alton of Liverpool. The award is in recognition of the supportive role he played during the UK’s festive week dedicated to St Thomas Becket hosted by the Embassy of Hungary in May 2016. It is also in recognition for Lord Alton’s championing those who are persecuted for their religion or belief.

 Ambassador Szalay-Bobrovniczky pointed out, that by bringing a spiritual dimension to international diplomacy the Becket week reminded us all that „when nation speaks to nation, heart must also speak to heart.” Lord Alton said in his acceptance speech that „the message and example of St Thomas Becket is still relevant some 800 years after his death and that the honour was a “great encouragement to do more” to fight for freedom of religion or belief.

The Embassy of Hungary would like to inform that a Book of Condolences will be open in memory of the victims of the tragic coach accident that took place on 20th January 2017 in Italy. You are welcome to pay respect at the Embassy (35 Eaton Place, London, SW1X 8BY) at the following times :

on Tuesday 24th January from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm, on Wednesday 25th January from 2 pm to 4 pm, on Thursday 26th January from 10 am to 12 pm.

For those who are unable to come in person we would like to offer the possibility to send messages of condolence to the following email address: condolences@mfa.gov.hu

The messages will be duly passed on to the representatives of the Szinyei Merse Pál High School.

​Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky hosted a discussion with Sir William Cash, Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee of the House of Commons and other prominent Conservative Brexiter Members of the Parliament.

Sir William Cash, The Rt. Hon. Peter Lilley, The Rt. Hon. John Redwood, The Rt. Hon. Owen Paterson, Mr Bernard Jenkin and Mr Steve Baker explained the reasons behind their support for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union and exchanged views about the future of Britain and Europe. The Ambassador gave an overview about the official positon of the Hungarian government on the Brexit process and underlined the increased importance of the Visegrad countries. The MPs reassured the Ambassador that even though they voted for Brexit, they also regard it important to guarantee the rights of the EU citizens already residing in the United Kingdom.

The Government spokesperson has visited London on 6 February 2017 to request information about the changes in government communication practices after the Brexit referendum and to give interviews to British, international and Hungarian news outlets.

Zoltán Kovács government spokesperson met Greg Swift, deputy spokesperson of Theresa May and Conrad Bird, the director of the GREAT campaign. Upon meeting journalists and reporters he informed them in detail about the Hungarian Government’s foreign affairs endeavours and the Hungarian administration’s standpoints on foreign affairs development, among others on the EU summit in Valletta, the visit of president Putin to Hungary, migration and Brexit. The day closed with an interview to Sky News Tonight show.

Dr László Szabó, Minister of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade paid an official visit to London on 8-9th February.  Dr Szabó held bilateral discussions with Sir Alan Duncan, Minister of State, FCO, and Mr Greg Hands, Minister of State, DIT, as well as had meetings with representatives of the business community, and participated at a business lunch at the Embassy. 

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Dr László Szabó, Minister of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Mr Frank Moxon, Master of the Company opened a wine tasting organized with the Worshipful Company of International Bankers. Members of the Company tasted the excellent wines of the Szepsy and Szent Tamás Wineries and listened to a presentation on the characteristics of the wines and the Tokaj region held by Tamás Nagy, wine expert. 

Ahead of his official visit to Scotland on 22-24 February 2017, Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky met Angus Robertson, Member of the Parliament for the Scottish National Party (SNP), Westminster leader of the SNP, Deputy SNP Leader on 20 February.
The parties exchanged views about current topics of mutual interest relating to Hungary and Scotland/UK. Angus Robertson explained the Scottish devolved government’s official position on the Brexit process, while the Ambassador gave an overview about the purpose of his visit to Scotland, including understanding the Brexit related thoughts of representatives of the region’s business, political and university circles and further improving our mutual cooperation in the field of business, culture and education. 

On 21 February 2017, Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky met John Whittingdale, Conservative Member of the Parliament for Maldon, who will be heading the delegation of the British Group Interparliamentary Union (BGIPU) to Hungary between 27 February and 2 March.
The Ambassador and the MP, who is also member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hungary exchanged views about current topical issues, like prospects of the Brexit process, expectations regarding the new US administration or the current situation in Eastern Europe.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky met Michael Gove, Conservative Member of the Parliament for Surrey Heath on 20 February 2017.
In light of a recent interview by Mr Gove with the new US President Donald Trump, the Ambassador and the MP discussed different expectations regarding the new US administration, prospects of Brexit and recent topics of mutual interest about Hungary and the UK.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky visited Scotland between 22-24 February 2017, as a first stage of a series of visits to the devolved territories, with the aim to receive first-hand information about the Brexit related thoughts of representatives of the region’s business, political and university circles and further improve our mutual cooperation in the field of business, culture and education.
In the Scottish Parliament, the Ambassador was received by the Presiding Officer, Ken Macintosh. From the Scottish government, he met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and had a discussion with Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop, whilst from the opposition, he had an exchange of views with Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives. The Ambassador also met with Sadie Doherty, Lord Provost of Glasgow and Donald Wilson, Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of Edinburgh.
Among the business related discussions, Ambassador Szalay-Bobrovniczky met with representatives of MOL UK Ltd., Skysanner, Scotch Whisky Association, Scottish Financial Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and Invest Glasgow.
In the field of education, meetings took place with senior officials of Glasgow University, Queen Margaret University and University of Edinburgh. At the Business School of The University of Edinburgh, the Ambassador delivered a lecture titled ’The Future of Europe after Brexit – Hungarian / Central European Perspective’.

The Mandoki Soulmates presents: Wings of Freedom
A concert featuring some of the biggest legends from the worlds of rock and jazz.

Friday 3 March 2017, 7pm | Hammersmith Eventim Apollo | 45 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9QH

For further information, please visit the website of the band: http://www.mandoki-soulmates.com/

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky opened the talk of Professor Ferenc Hörcher, director of the Institute of Philosophy of the Research Centre for the Humanities at the Hungarian Academy of Science titled „The Hungarian Constitutional Moment of 1848, and its meaning today” on 15 March 2017 at the University College London School of Slavonic and East European Studies. Jan Kubik, director of the UCL SSEAS greeted the audience formed by students and academicians.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky in his opening speech reminded the guests of the national day reception that the first sizeable Hungarian community was formed in the United Kingdom in the aftermath of the failed 1848 revolution. The Ambassador underlined that 2017 brought upon us historical times once again and amongst these challenges the Hungarian government feels responsible to enable the Hungarian community living in the United Kingdom to safeguard their national culture and to feel secure about their future in their chosen country.

The responsibility of the representatives of the Hungarian community to keep the Hungarian culture alive in their new home was emphasized through the poem of János Arany: The Heritage, recited by Attila Farkas, a former actor of the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj, which served as a commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of our national poet.

As part of the commemoration of the 1848 revolution and freedom fight, Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky together with the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Roz Gladden unveiled the Lajos Kossuth Plaque on 20 March 2017. Lajos Kossuth, the great Hungarian statesman on his journey across Great Britain in 1851 was greeted by members of the town council and cheered by the public in Liverpool as well. Upon the initiative of Dr Andrew Zsigmond de Lemhény, the Honorary Consul of Hungary the plaque remembers now the generosity of the city and will serve as a precious memorial for the Hungarians living in the area. The Plaque is at 17 Lord Nelson Street, where Lajos Kossuth held a public speech in front of great crowd.

Later that day on behalf of János Áder, President of Hungary, Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky presented the Gold Cross of Merit to Ms Éva Szakály, who fled to the UK after the Second World War. Ms Éva Szakály worked selflessly in the past 70 years to spread the Hungarian culture in England, to keep the cultural heritage alive of the Hungarian community living in the UK and to organize support for those in need during the 1956 and 1898 in Hungary and in Transylvania. 

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky met Robin Niblett, Director of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, commonly known as Chatham House on 22 March 2017, at the think tank’s London headquarters.

The parties exchanged views about recent developments in Hungary and the United Kingdom, including the Brexit process. Regarding this latter, the Ambassador underlined the importance of guaranteeing the acquired rights of Hungarian nationals residing in the UK. The Director gave an overview about the work of the prominent think tank, inter alia outlining the fact that recent developments in world politics, such as Brexit and the new US administration, have a significant impact on the focus of Chatham House publications and events.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky met Karin von Hippel, Director General of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies, commonly known as RUSI, the oldest security and defence think tank in the world, and also Jonathan Eyal, International Director of RUSI on 28 March 2017, at the think tank’s prominent Whitehall building.

The parties exchanged views about recent developments in the field of  security and defence policy, including possible impacts of the Brexit process. The Director General gave an overview about the work of RUSI, inter alia underlining the fact that recent changes in world politics make the work of thinks tanks ever more important.

Ambassador Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky hosted a discussion with Bob Neill, Chairman Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group, Hungary and other prominent Conservative Members of the Parliament on 28 March 2017.
Bob Neill MP, Dominic Grieve MP, Lord Hunt of Wirral, Lord Cormack and Lord Inglewood explained the reasons for their support for the continuation of the close cooperation between the United Kingdom and the European Union and exchanged views about the future of Great Britain and Europe. The Ambassador gave an overview about the official positon of the Hungarian government on the Brexit process and underlined the increased importance of the Visegrad 4 countries.