In a letter addressed to the Hungarian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European External Action Service has today requested Hungary to continue representing the European Union in Libya through the second half of 2011, which Hungary has accepted.

The request is a clear recognition of the successful Hungarian EU Presidency and in particular the highly professional work of the Hungarian Embassy in Tripoli during an extraordinary crisis period.

The European Union has no local representation in Tripoli, and therefore the Hungarian Embassy has represented the EU there since 1 January 1 2011. Among others, the Embassy has played an active role in harmonizing evacuation efforts for both EU and non-EU citizens and in providing consular assistance ever since the outbreak of the Libyan crisis last February. Furthermore, thanks to its effective action, the Hungarian Embassy managed to liberate and repatriate several persons in Libyan custody, including UK, US and Spanish citizens.

Besides acting on behalf of the European Union, the Hungarian Embassy in Tripoli has also been representing Greece, Croatia, Canada, Italy and the United States of America in Libya on the basis of bilateral agreements.

(kormany.hu)