The Norwegian ambassador to Hungary, Tove Skarstein and defence attaché, Colonel Øivind Oland Christensen invited guests, including members of the Norwegian community, to the Ambassador's residence in Budapest to celebrate Norway's National Day.

This year Hungary and Mexico celebrate the 40th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. On this occasion, Diplomacy & Trade has recently presented an interview with the Mexican Ambassador to Hungary, Isabel Bárbara Téllez Rosete.

As the leading article of its Finalnd focus earlier this year, Diplomacy & Trade carried an interview with the Finnish ambassador to Hungary, Pasi Tuominen who talks about the various aspects of bilateral relations and the spreading of Finnish values.

“As the term of the current government expires, I will finish my foreign service.” That is what Hungarian Foreign Minister János indicated to the Hungarian news portal [origo] when asked at a conference this Tuesday in Budapest.

Diplomacy & Trade has learned with great sorrow that the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Hungary, Dr. Ashraf Mohsen Mohamed Mohsen has passed away at the age of 50. He served his country in Budapest since March 2012.

The President of the Republic of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski visited Hungary this past week-end to take part in events held on the occasion of the Day of Hungarian Polish Friendship. He was hosted by his Hungarian counterpart, János Áder.

The Baltic state of Latvia features in the news early this year as it became the 18th state of the Euro-zone and Riga is the cultural capital of Europe. On this occasion, Diplomacy & Trade has recently carried an interview with Latvian ambassador Imants Liegis.

The ambassador of the Republic of Poland to, Roman Kowalski, has been awarded the 'Antall József Prize' named after the first democratically elected prime minister (1990-1993) of Hungary. The award was handed over by the widow of the late prime minister.

The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairshas issued a communiqué, which states that Hungary considers illegitimate and illegal the March 16 referendum and its results in the Crimean Autonomous Republic of Ukraine as it violates the constitution.

It is an important aim for Hungary - as a European Union member state and also an independent country - to establish an active, deepening and expanding system of relations with Latin America, a high-ranking Foreign Ministry official stated this Wednesday.

On the model of its policy opening to the countries of the East, the Hungarian government plans a similar move towards Latin America. As part of this effort, Budapest will host the second Hungary – Latin America Forum this summer.

Peace and freedom are not gifts provided by nature, we have to fight for these values day by day, Hungarian President János Áder pointed out at the the Hungarian and NATO Air Base in Pápa, NW Hungary on the 15th anniversary of Hungary's NATO membership.

In its WittyLeaks section, Diplomacy & Trade carries articles written by ambassadors accredited to Hungary on topics that are outside their official duties. For a recent issue, the Norwegian Ambassador wrote a piece on the changing Budapest.

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Németh has been awarded the prestigious German ‘Point Alpha Prize’ this year for his contributions to the unification of Germany and Europe for his role in the fall of the Iron Curtain in Hungary 25 years ago.

Ministers of Interior of the Visegrád Group adopted a Joint Statement concerning the situation in Ukraine. According to the document, the Ministers agreed to introduce an enhanced coordination to react to possible mass influx of refugees from Ukraine.