Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs János Hóvári participated in the international conference „8th Forum for the Future” in Kuwait City on 21-22 November 2011. On the sidelines of the event, János Hóvári also held talks with Khalid Suleiman Al-Jarallah, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait on the Hungarian-Kuwaiti relations.

The conference discussed, among others, various aspects of democracy, elections, good government, human rights, media, the ways of strengthening the role of the youth and women, as well as civil society, education and the economy. Political questions related to the region were included in the wide range of topics as well. Evaluation of the situation in North Africa in the wake of the events of the Arab Spring was also high on the agenda. Hungary contributes to the consolidation efforts following this historic turning point by providing experiences gained in the course of her own transition – a gesture which is highly appreciated by the other participating states.

As the only partner country from Central Europe, Hungary joined the international governmental co-operation „8th Forum for the Future” in 2005, initiated by the USA in 2004 with the aim of supporting the democratization and reform process in the Broader Middle East.

(kormany.hu)