The 16th annual Hungarian Jewish Summer Festival is currently being held in Budapest between 25 August and 2 September and offers various programs introducing Jewish culture. The festival is the largest of its kind in Europe and this year the Prime Minister’s Office is sponsoring the event with 58 million forints.
Budapest, 28 August 2013 – What can 800 scholars and businessmen do to boost innovation and competitiveness in four countries? This is what the creators of the „Visegrad Four Knowledge Portal”, a truly 21st century online platform with smartphone applications will soon show the world.
Deputy State Secretary Péter Wintermantel hosted outgoing Ambassador Gauri Shankar Gupta at a farewell lunch on 26 August 2013. Ambassador Gupta took up his post in Budapest in 2010, and will be leaving for India at the end of this month.
Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee acknowledge the Hungarian Government's steps to combat anti-semitism in a letter addressed to Ambassador Szapáry.
Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs Péter Wintermantel gave a speech at the Fourth Conference of Hungarian-Israeli Friendship Associations, which was held in Zalaegerszeg on 24-26 August. Foreign Minister János Martonyi and State Secretary János Lázár were the chief patrons of the conference.
According to the Minister for National Economy, the proposal of the Hungarian Banking Association may provide a starting point at negotiations over the relief scheme for foreign currency debt holders. Mihály Varga disclosed details on public service TV channel M1's Híradó (News).
Very few countries would be capable of “freeing themselves” from IMF assistance on their own as Hungary did, without taking out another loan, Mihály Varga said in Szentendre. The Minister added that in the coming years agriculture, manufacturing and industry are expected to become the key sectors of the economy.
On 27 August, Foreign Minister János Martonyi met with former Serbian President Boris Tadić to discuss Serbia’s European integration process. The visit by Mr. Tadić to Hungary had been organized by the Foundation for the Szent László (St Ladislav) Academy.
Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga appointed Minister of State for Employment Dr Sándor Czomba as the Government’s mediator for liaising with the ISD Dunaferr Ltd.
The current International Danube Expedition (JDS3) is the world's largest river research expedition in 2013, the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation, stated Executive Secretary of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River Ivan Zavadsky at a press conference in Budapest.