US Ambassador on American foreign policy

The US Ambassador to Hungary, Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis has given a "broad overview and perspective" on the current affairs in the foreign policy of the United States at the Central European University in Budapest.

Speaking on the United States’ relationship with Europe, and, also with Hungary in the context of Hungary’s EU Presidency, the US Ambassador quoted Presdient Barack Obama by saying that “Europe is the cornerstone for our engagement with the rest of the world.”

The Ambassador added that "the trajectory of Europe over the last 20 years has been exceptionally positive. As it is in the U.S. interest to see a unified and strong Europe, we support initiatives, such as the Lisbon Treaty that help give rise to a louder single European voice. We support the efforts of High Representative Catherine Ashton towards creating a more consistent, comprehensive and effective European foreign policy."

She also quoted US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who said recently that "Americans are in favor of human rights, freedoms, and democracy. We know that ultimately the most progress that can be made on behalf of human beings anywhere is when those individuals are empowered, when they have governments that are responsive.”

Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis pointed out that "we want to see reform go forward across the region; we want to see it done peacefully, without violence; we want it to be inclusive and we want to see movement towards democracy. Obviously, the situation is playing out far differently based upon local circumstances. While there is a common theme of individuals, communities and entire nations standing up and demanding to be part of the political process, these events are local in nature and reflect the specific situation in each country."

Regarding Hungary's current role, the Ambassador said that "it was unfortunate that the start of the Presidency was somewhat clouded by the debate surrounding the media law since Hungary has put forth a number of priorities that the United States views as extremely important and that we would like to see advanced during the Hungarian leadership."

For those priorities and the full remarks of the US Ambassador, please, see: http://hungary.usembassy.gov/kounalakis_ceu2.html