Hungary has been invited to contribute to the United States’ review of its development policy, a move that signals a potential reset in bilateral relations. Tristan Azbej, Hungary’s State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and the implementation of the Hungary Helps Program, announced the development during his visit to Washington on Thursday.
Azbej, who led the first foreign government delegation to meet with US officials under the new administration, held talks with Pete Marocco, a senior official at the US State Department responsible for aid policy. Marocco was tasked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio with reviewing the operations of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of President Donald Trump’s broader goal to overhaul American aid policy.
During the meeting, Azbej highlighted the previous administration’s interference in Hungary’s domestic affairs, including the allocation of 7.4 million dollars in US taxpayer funds to support opposition parties during the Biden presidency. ‘Pete Marocco pledged to immediately halt any funding programmes aimed at interfering in Hungary’s internal affairs or promoting migration,’ Azbej stated.
The US also expressed interest in reviving cooperation with Hungary on aid for persecuted Christians, a partnership that flourished during Trump’s first term. Azbej noted that Marocco praised the Hungary Helps Program as a model for effective humanitarian aid.
USAID, a federal agency managing approximately 40 billion dollars annually, has been placed under the State Department’s oversight, with most of its programmes suspended pending review. Elon Musk, a member of the Trump administration focused on government efficiency, recently suggested abolishing the agency, citing its inefficiency.
Azbej also met with Trump’s senior advisor on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs Massad Boulos, and several members of Congress. He reported that US officials expressed gratitude for Hungary’s efforts to support persecuted Christians through its aid programmes.
‘As we stand on the brink of a golden era in Hungarian–American relations, aiding persecuted Christians will be one of our key shared priorities,’ Azbej said.
The State Secretary also participated in the annual International Religious Freedom Summit, where US Vice President J D Vance delivered a speech marking a shift in US policy. Vance declared an end to the era of promoting atheism worldwide, stating that the US would now support Christians and other religious communities.
Azbej reflected on his experiences, noting that previous US administrations had shown indifference or hostility toward Hungary’s initiatives, particularly under Biden. However, he expressed optimism about the new administration’s approach, which aligns more closely with Hungary’s values and priorities.
During his visit, Azbej also met with leaders of the Assyrian and Chaldean Catholic diaspora in the US, who offered to assist in strengthening Hungarian–American relations through their networks.
The invitation to participate in the US development policy review and the renewed focus on cooperation mark a significant step forward in bilateral relations, with both countries pledging to work together on shared humanitarian and strategic goals.
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