Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Gergely Gulyás stressed on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. that the Hungarian government is trying to cooperate with the current Democratic Party-led American government as an ally, in a pragmatic manner, but there is not always a receptive attitude towards this effort.
In an interview with Hungarian public television, Gulyás pointed out that since the United States remains the world’s leading power, it is crucial for the Hungarian government to aim for the best possible Hungarian–American relations. He highlighted that however, in current American politics there is a significant rift. While there is no willingness on the part of the government to respond to the Hungarian aspiration for a relationship that befits allies and pragmatic cooperation, Republican Party politicians consider Hungary a friend and believe that the successful conservative governance that characterised Hungary in the past decade can serve as a good example for them as well, the minister said.
He emphasised that ‘if there is a political change in the United States, which, of course, depends on the decision of the Americans, then it is certain that Hungarian–American relations can greatly improve with a conservative American administration.’ He added that ‘the opinions of American voters must be respected, and we try to cooperate with whoever is in power,’ but it is evident that ‘the level of success is not the same.’
In terms of the ongoing cultural and ideological debates beyond the ocean, he pointed out that the United States still has a very strong conservative party, the Republican Party, while many former conservative parties in Western Europe have given up on much of what those parties represented for decades.
‘In this sense, ideologically, the Republican Party is much closer to us;
whether it’s about gender issues, family policy, or the idea that the nation forms the basis of cooperation, and everyone considers their homeland the most important, there is complete agreement with the Republican Party on these matters,’ said minister.
When asked about US reactions to the war on Ukraine, he remarked that it triggers debates within the Republican Party, but the majority opinion is that a ceasefire and immediate peace negotiations are needed, and this is also the position of the current most popular Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump.
Regarding the criminal proceedings initiated against former President Donald Trump in the United States and the recently announced possibility of new charges, Gergely Gulyás stated that it is a new phenomenon in the US that
criminal law is being used a tool against a former president, who happens to be the most popular presidential candidate
in cases that have been investigated repeatedly and extensively for years. ‘But I would not like to follow the current practice of the American administration and interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, even if it is their daily practice. We hope that there is a possibility here, in America, too, for rule of law to prevail, and at most, we can express out concern that there may be political motivation behind these proceedings and their timing,’ the minister stated.
During his visit, Gulyás held talks with members of the US federal legislature, predominantly Republican senators and representatives, and also met with leaders of think tanks in the American capital.
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Source: MTI
