David Pressman, the ambassador of the United States to Hungary, visited Hajdú-Bihar county on January 23rd, continuing his travel series called #VidekiVoices, in the framework of which he gets to know the diversity of rural Hungarian communities.
Ambassador David Pressman started his day in Told, a disadvantaged village of 306 people, located just a few kilometers from the Romanian border. The ambassador said during the conversation about the issues of concern to the locals: “I am visiting this beautiful country to meet people like you. It is very important for me to get out of the government buildings, conference halls and Budapest, in order to establish contact with Hungarians living in the countryside. I listen to you with full attention so that the United States can also look for opportunities to bring our countries closer together.” The ambassador also held talks with the leaders of the Igazgyöngy Foundation, which helps disadvantaged communities in rural Hungary.
Arriving to Debrecen, the ambassador was warmly welcomed by Mayor László Papp, who heads the regional center of the Northern Great Plain region, which is home to many international companies, including several American ones. The mayor and the ambassador continued the dialogue started earlier on a wide range of issues, including the challenging economic situation, the development of American-Hungarian bilateral relations, and the possibilities of international cooperation at the city level. At a round table discussion, the ambassador heard the leaders of the local civil society about the dangers posed by the new “sovereignty protection law” in Hungary, which is directed against those who disagree with the ruling party. In Debrecen, the ambassador visited some of the latest investments in Hungary.
The United States continues to monitor corruption cases in Hungary, which is why Ambassador David Pressman also visited the EU-funded canopy walkway project at the Telekhegy lookout near Nyírmártonfalva.
(usembassy.gov.hu)
Main picture: László Papp and David Pressman / U.S. Embassy Budapest Facebook page
