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bne June 2019 Central Europe I 39
Hungary and the US have similar approaches to a variety of global politi- cal issues, Orban said in the Oval Office, pointing to illegal immigration, the fight against terrorism and the protection of Christian communities.
When asked about Hungary’s democrat- ic reforms, the prime minister said his government was operating on the basis of the constitution approved in 2011. "From the people, by the people, for the people, this is the basis for the Hungar- ian government. We are happy to serve our nation," he said.
Orban's spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, said in a statement that both countries have "much that keeps us close", including "Nato, security co-operation, energy security, migration, pro-family policies, and the protection of our Judeo-Chris- tian heritage".
The talks lasted significantly longer than originally planned, and began with a closed-door meeting that was also attended by Hungarian Foreign Minister Pater Szijjarto and US national security advisor John Bolton.
A few days before Orban's visit a bipar- tisan group of senators, including the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, James E. Risch, wrote an open letter to the presi- dent to warn of Hungary’s “downward democratic trajectory and the implica- tions for US interests in Central Europe.” Lawmakers said they were concerned over the close relationship between Budapest and Moscow and the reloca- tion Russia’s International Investment Bank to Hungary.
The talks "will mark the end of a decade- long period of high-level diplomatic isolation of Hungary,” former US ambas- sador to Hungary April Foley wrote in the Washington Post before Orban's visit.
During the Obama years CEE countries rightfully felt neglected, while the US administration’s efforts to reset relations with Russia overwrote long-standing friendships America had cultivated on Europe’s edge, she wrote. "US meddling in Hungary’s domestic affairs and its criti-
cism without engagement left a deep scar on bilateral relations,” according to Foley.
Energy and military contracts
on the agenda
Trump also called Hungary a "very good member of Nato." The two leaders were due to discuss Hungary's plan to buy medium-range missiles from the US.
The meeting is not only a breakthrough in bilateral relations, but it could also bring significant changes to Hungary’s military, local media reported before the meeting. In recent months, the two countries have been negotiating high- value arms deals worth billions of dol- lars as well as joint energy projects.
US Ambassador to Budapest David Cornstein, briefing a group of Repub- lican staffers from Congress who were visiting Hungary a few weeks ago, claimed Budapest would soon be able to significantly reduce its dependence on Russian gas imports.
Negotiations are advancing well on Hungary buying gas from ExxonMobil’s Romanian offshore gas fields as well as American liquified natural gas from the sea terminal on the Croatian island of Krk, according to reports.
Cornstein also boasted of the expected announcement of a billion-dollar arms deal between Hungary and Lockheed Martin, and that there is a second billion-dollar deal in the making
with another company. Although the ambassador did not name that other company, he was referring to a Raytheon deal, according to two sources with knowledge of US-Hungarian defence procurement talks.
State Department invites
opposition politicians
On Monday, centre-right opposition politicians also met State Department officials, which was organised in matter of weeks.
Independent candidate Peter Marki-Zay backed by all opposition parties, scored a stunning victory, beating cabinet minister Janos Lazar, a strongman
of the ruling Fidesz party, on his
home turf in a mayoral by-election in February. Marky-Zay has been a vocal critic of the government and has called for opposition parties to run on a joint list in the upcoming local elections in the autumn. He was set to discuss the state of democracy in Hungary with US officials.
“You're respected all over Europe. Probably like me a little bit controversial, but that's okay”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban meets Donald Trump.
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