"The United States is a Friend of Hungary"

David Pressman, the diplomat nominated to head the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, arrived in the Hungarian capital Friday morning.

“These are complicated times, and in complicated times, it is more important than ever for friends to pull each other closer. The United States is a friend of Hungary and of the Hungarian people,” he told reporters at Liszt Ferenc International Airport.

“I realize there can be a lot of political noise, but this is an important moment in the region and in the world, and it is one we need each other to get right,” he added.

times are difficult and in difficult times it is more important than ever that friends stick together. While "there may be a lot of political noise around us", this is an important moment in the region and the world, and "to do this well, we need each other", he said.

He stressed that “our countries have worked together as allies on critical economic and security issues. Now, more than ever, our countries need to work together to ensure that the U.S.-Hungary partnership is vibrant, strong, and rooted in shared values. I’m looking forward to working closely with the Hungarian government and to meeting as many Hungarians as I possibly can.”

US President Joe Biden announced in May that David Pressman was to head the embassy in Budapest, and his nomination was approved by the Senate in July. Pressman was sworn in as US Ambassador to Hungary on August 8.