Hungary’s relationship with China was the main topic in the previous issue of Diplomacy & Trade. The main issues were touched upon by Szabolcs Takács, Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mark Palmer, who served as United States Ambassador to Hungary from 1986 until 1990 – and as such was the last American ambassador to the Communist regime in Hungary –, has died at the age of 72 after a long struggle with cancer.

The Diplomacy & Trade Business Club (The Club) presented the Irish focus of Diplomacy & Trade in the Gundel Restaurant in Budapest with diplomats, businesspeople and members of the Irish community in Hungary attending the event this Monday evening.

Hungary needs a "new policy course to deliver the required medium-term fiscal adjustment in a sustainable way to support growth and confidence, repair the financial sector, and promote structural reforms to boost the potential of the Hungarian economy."

The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against Hungary concerning a levy on phone calls and text messages introduced in 2012, the Hungarian news agency MTI learned from unnamed sources.

Systemax, one of Europe’s largest computer products sellers, is to open a new service center in Budapest, from where it will provide support services for European, Middle Eastern and African markets. It is to open in the spring of 2013.

Hungary has officially launched its Presidency of the Central European Initiative. In the second half of this year, Hungary will be heading the Visegrád Group. Having these two responsibilities, the Foreign Ministry calls 2013 the Year of Central Europe in Hungary.

France is a major investor in Hungary, its presence has tripled in this country between 2001 and 2011. The scope of this presence is described in the study published by the French Embassy and the Hungarian-French Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

If there is such a request, Hungary stands ready to continue its presence in Afghanistan after 2014, the end of the mandate, Hungarian President János Áder said after his discussions at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

Hungary has ensured France of its "full support and solidarity" in connection with the French military operations in Mali. A statement by the Hungarian Foreign Ministry views the French action as part of the global fight against terrorism.

Roubini Global Economics insists that it was not its research note that sparked a sell-off of the Hungarian currency but comments by Hungarian economics minister György Matolcsy that the policy of a strong forint between 2002 and 2010 had been a mistake.

Snow that began to fall Sunday night and continued Monday morning hinders traffic in the Hungarian capital. Roads both in Budapest and Western Hungary are snowy and skiddy, motorists are advised to stay home or use the means of community transport.

The Italian Cultural Institute in Budapest, an office of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organizes a wide range of events to inform the Hungarian audience on the most relevant aspects of contemporary Italian culture.

Hungarian journalist Zsolt Bayer's recent remarks concerning the Roma minority are unacceptable, Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission. Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister, Tibor Navracsics also condemned the remarks.

FIFA, world soccer's governing body, sanctioned Hungary to play the next World Cup qualifying match on home ground behind closed doors. The disciplinary action came after racist abuses by Hungarian fans at a recent match against Israel.