Remarks by Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis at the University of Debrecen

April 13, 2010

Good morning!

It is a pleasure to be here at the University of Debrecen today. The university is famous for being one of the most international and cosmopolitan centers of learning in Hungary. I know that you have hosted many distinguished Americans, including Fulbright students and lecturers, so I am honored to join their ranks.

Today, I would like to give you some general ideas about our goals at the Embassy but, after that, I want to make sure I get a chance to hear from you. This is going to be a conversation, and, for me, listening is as important as talking.

I will start by highlighting my pride in representing President Obama here in Hungary. President Obama’s election campaign centered on change – both domestically and in our relations with the rest of the world.

He started his presidency with special outreach to both our friends and our foes around the world. The United States, he said, would honor its leadership responsibilities – but at the same time – was committed to partnership.

In his address to the UN General Assembly last year, President Obama stated that it was his deeply held belief that now, more than at any point in human history, the interests of nations and peoples are shared. In this pivotal moment, he said, “The United States stands ready to begin a new chapter of international cooperation.”

I am personally committed to the President’s vision and am very pleased that Hungary and the United States already enjoy a remarkable level of cooperation. We are friends, partners, and NATO allies.

Our two nations work side by side on many issues around the world.So today, as I speak of American foreign policy challenges and initiatives, it is with the clear understanding that Hungary is much more than a bystander.

European Security

European security remains an anchor of U.S. foreign and security policy. A strong Europe is critical to our security and prosperity, and much of what we hope to accomplish globally depends on working together with Europe.

However, beyond such critical issues as Afghanistan, Iran, climate change, or the global economy, the trans-Atlantic partnership is, at its core, about defending and advancing our values in the world.

We are united by our common appreciation for liberty and freedom. These ties cannot and should never be broken.

From my country’s earliest history, Hungarians have stood with us, whether in our war for independence or the Civil War. Mihály Kováts, the Hungarian hussar who was the father of the American cavalry, was killed in action in 1779 near Charleston, South Carolina, while Major General Julius Stahel won the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor, my country’s highest award for valor, at the Battle of Piedmont in 1864. Kováts’ words in offering his sword to Benjamin Franklin – “Golden freedom cannot be purchased with yellow gold” – embody enduring and cherished values for our two peoples.

Afghanistan

Today, the biggest foreign policy challenge for the United States is certainly the situation in Afghanistan and, by extension, Pakistan.

President Obama announced last December that the United States will deploy an additional 30,000 American soldiers to Afghanistan. This military surge, coupled with a bolstered civilian presence, is setting the stage for a gradual withdrawal of troops starting in mid-2011.

The Obama Administration has made it clear that the United States’ commitment to the people of Afghanistan is enduring – but our troop presence will not be.

We are not talking about an exit strategy or a hard deadline. What we are talking about is an assessment that in 2011 we can begin a transition to hand off responsibility to the Afghan government.

The ultimate goal is to increase the quality and quantity of the Afghan military and police forces so that they can provide for their own security. Improved security – provided by a stronger Afghan police and military – will lead to better governance, both on the local, as well as the national level.

A key component of the strategy outlined by President Obama is the understanding that the problems in Afghanistan demand a regional approach. Securing the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan is one of the most critical elements to stabilizing the region.

For the United States – and indeed, NATO – to succeed in Afghanistan and the region, we need further support from our allies.

The Obama Administration truly appreciates the 7,000 additional troops pledged by NATO allies, including Prime Minister Bajnai’s commitment in December when he met with Vice President Biden to send 200 additional Hungarian soldiers to Afghanistan. We expect that the new Government will continue to honor this commitment.

Another crucial element of the Afghanistan strategy is the non-military component. We need more civilian involvement and assistance.

Hungary has been doing very valuable work in Afghanistan for years now, both in the framework of its Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) and with its Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Baghlan Province.

I know the United States will continue to look to Hungary to play a leading role as we shift our focus in Afghanistan to a greater civilian presence.

Iran

Another very significant issue for President Obama is Iran. President Obama made clear last year his readiness to open a new page in our relations with Iran based on mutual respect. This new approach included our offer to engage Iran to resolve international concerns over its nuclear program.

More than a year later, however, it is clear that Iran is not willing to follow international norms.

We regret that Iran has missed repeated opportunities for meaningful engagement – but now its continued non-compliance deserves the full and urgent attention of the international community.

While the emphasis over the past year has been on engagement and incentives, the time has come to employ more pressure.

The United States believes that multilateral pressure can best be achieved through new UN Security Council action; however even UN action may not be sufficient to persuade Iran to change course. As we move ahead in this area, we would like to work with our friends and allies on coordinated, national actions that could magnify the impact of international agreements.

Russia

Turning to Russia, it is clear the President and Secretary have placed a special emphasis on re-balancing our relationship. You all know of the symbolic “Reset” button that Secretary of State Clinton presented to Foreign Minister Lavrov last year.

The relationship of the United States to Russia has indeed undergone a transformation in the Obama administration. I recognize that some have viewed this reset as a diminished interest in the central European region.

So let me repeat what Vice President Biden said in Bucharest last October – “It’s precisely because of our global responsibilities and your growing capacity and willingness to meet them with us that we value our partnership with Central Europe and Europe now more than ever.”

The Vice President went on to say the following: “The United States will never make a deal about anything with anyone above your heads or behind your backs.”

A productive relationship with Russia is important for everyone. President Obama and President Medvedev hold regular consultations. Just last week in Prague, the two presidents signed a new Strategic Arms Reduction treaty in the presence of Central European leaders, including Prime Minister Bajnai.

The goal of the Obama Administration is to build a substantive and constructive relationship with Russia based on mutual respect and mutual interests.

The United States believes that missile defense is yet another area where Russia and the United States – and Europe – can work together, to defend against common threats affecting all of us.

Ultimately, however, the United States is convinced that the new system being developed, that was announced last fall, is one that better protects the nations of Europe. And it does so in a NATO-integrated structure.

Energy Security

Some people have considered the United States’ interest in European energy security as anti-Russian. I do not believe that is the case. The United States is anti-monopoly based on the threat that any monopoly poses. From the U.S. perspective, and indeed, the perspective of Europe, the key word in terms of energy security is diversification: diversification of sources and supply routes.

I think that the Europe has recognized this for many years. Recent interruptions of gas supply to Hungary – and other countries of the region – served to reinforce the necessity of obtaining energy sources from multiple sources and using multiple technologies. Improving and expanding storage capacity is also critical, and I know Hungary has had great success in this area.

The Nabucco project would clearly be a significant step for Hungary towards ensuring a stable and safe supply of energy in the long term. I applaud Hungary for its key role in moving this project forward.

The Balkins

The Balkans is another area of interest to Washington policy makers, who clearly understand its strategic importance for Hungary.

Today, it is clear that the Western Balkans are now oriented toward the West. Serbia has submitted its official application to join the European Union. This is a welcome step – helped in large part by Hungary and its efforts to promote EU-integration throughout the region.

The United States has a vested interest in stability in the Western Balkans. Hungary is playing a leadership role there by sharing its own experiences with democratic transition and membership in the European Union and NATO.

Foreign Investment

Another very important issue for the United States is to see the economies of Central Europe strong and growing. As you’ve heard, I have a business background. I am putting all my experience and skills to work to create new opportunities for foreign investment in Hungary. Foreign investment can help stimulate the Hungarian economy, provide jobs to Hungarian workers, and create opportunities for Hungarian entrepreneurs.

But ultimately in order for our efforts to succeed, the Hungarian Government must do what it can to help ensure a level playing field for investors and a transparent and fair business environment.

Education

Now, I would like to change the subject a little bit, and speak to you directly about one of our other top priorities here in Hungary: It is to increase the number of Hungarians studying in the U.S.

I would like to encourage you to think about pursuing graduate studies in the U.S., or even an undergraduate exchange year. Our system of higher education is still the best in the world, in terms of quality and the overall student experience. U.S. colleges and universities are always looking for talented international students like you. Scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available especially at the graduate level.

Every year, Hungarians go to the U.S. to study thanks to the Fulbright Program. You can find out more about the Fulbright scholarships by going to our Embassy website or a special website especially designed for Hungarian students: www.educationusa.hu

Even better, you are lucky to have an American Corner in Debrecen, where you can get personalized advice on how to apply to universities in the U.S. The American Corner is also a great place to practice your English, participate in activities related to American culture and society, and hear from visiting experts.

Finally, I encourage you to follow us on Facebook and YouTube to get a complete picture of what we do and to learn more about the United States.

I will stop here – and look forward to any comments and questions you may have.

Thank you again for the invitation and the opportunity to be here with all of you today.

Köszönöm szépen.