New British ambassador to Hungary

Her Majesty's new Ambassador to Hungary, Graeme Jonathan Knott presented his Letters of Credence to Pál Schmitt, the President of Hungary accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom to Hungary on Wednesday 22 February 2012 at the Sándor Palace in the Buda Castle.

On the occasion, Ambassador Knott said “It is my great pleasure and privilege to take up this assignment. I very much look forward to working with the Hungarian government and people and to build on the strong relationship, which exists between our countries. In particular, I look forward to celebrating a very special year for the United Kingdom as we host the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and celebrate the Queen`s Diamond Jubilee. I hope these events will help Hungarian people to get to know the United Kingdom even better than they do now – just as I hope to get to know Hungary well during my posting here.”

He also said that he was ready to work with the Hungarian government on a wide range of issues of mutual interest – both bilaterally and in multilateral forums such as the EU, UN and NATO, which “both our countries value so highly. I also look forward to developing our countries’ substantial commercial partnership.”

Jonathan Knott joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1988 and was most recently Deputy Head of Mission and Director for Trade and Investment in South Korea. He has previously held a variety of diplomatic posts at home and abroad, several with a particular focus on commercial and corporate finance issues.