This year marks the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Hungary and the United States of America. Who else could be more representative of that partnership than the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, the charming and energetic Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, a strong and friendly businesswoman who has a true heart for the country to which she is accredited?

“With a background as a successful businesswoman, as well as through multiple civic engagements and activities, you have accumulated an enormous amount of experience. Therefore, you are an authentic source when being asked about your opinion and recommendations as to the functioning of the market economy in Hungary. What are the country’s economic prospects in your opinion?”

“When I arrived two and a half years ago, I was really struck by the beauty of Hungary, starting with Budapest which is a jewel in Central Europe. Westerners, certainly Americans, are often surprised when they come here and see the beauty and development, since it was behind the Iron Curtain for so long. The same is true for many of the other cities in Hungary, such as Győr, Debrecen, Szeged, Pécs and Eger, which are full of talented, hardworking people. You have beautiful cities, very well-developed infrastructure and a highly capable workforce that creates opportunity and paints a picture of a country that has so much potential. It strikes business people who come here and it struck me too.

Hungary, like elsewhere in Europe and around the world, is dealing with the economic slowdown. There are no easy answers, but we have heard from businesses that as a result of the quickly changing regulatory environment and the changing environment relative to costs, there is a wait-and-see attitude towards foreign direct investment. Taxes are a big part of that. I have been encouraging my interlocutors in the Hungarian government to quickly stabilize the regulatory and tax environment, so that investors are able to calculate the costs of doing business and I think that this is something that members of this government understand.”

“You are more active than any U.S. Ambassador to Hungary before, such as encouraging civic activism and community engagement, establishing the Active Citizenship Award and the Ambassador’s Award for Cultural Diplomacy, setting an example by swimming across Lake Balaton, participating in the Bridge Walk and the Sziget Festival. What drives your inner engine? What keeps you going?”

“President Obama made a point of appointing relatively young ambassadors. I presume the thinking was that he wanted his diplomatic corps to bring the kind of energy to the job that he brings to his job. I’ll tell you, I am very inspired by the 90 years of diplomatic relations, especially by the last 22 years. Hungary and the United States have a very vibrant relationship and I am extremely proud to be able to foster a strong relationship between our two countries.

The reason I can take these opportunities is because they are there. The Balaton swim was a terrific chance to take part in an event that is important for Hungarians. I was invited by Minister of Defense Hende to join the Ministry’s swim team. Americans and Hungarians are deployed around the world together and we have excellent military cooperation, so to be asked to participate was really an honor as well as a lot of fun and a great experience.”

“Speaking of fun. For me you are the smiling ambassador, since you are always smiling. What is your secret?”

“Serving as the American Ambassador to Hungary is the honor and privilege of my life. Every day that I wake up and look out the window and see the American flag flying, I feel very proud to be here. There are so many ways that we can continue to grow our relationship and strengthen our bond. I am energized by that and inspired by people I work with everyday in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the Ministry of Interior, in the Ministry of Defense who feel the same way. That’s why I smile all the time.”

“What goals of yours did you manage to reach so far? What are your plans for the rest of your term?”

“It’s the goal of every ambassador to Hungary to strengthen our relationship, or given that our relationship is already strong, it would be better to say to build upon that strength. What has been different, of course, is that this has been a very dynamic time in Hungary’s history with the passage of around 360 new laws, a new constitution and a handful of cardinal laws which have changed the administration of government. I believe that Prime Minister Orbán has called it a “two-thirds revolution”. So, of course, that dynamism is also going to make it a dynamic time in our relationship. As you know, we have spoken publicly about the reforms and have called for a commitment to independent democratic institutions. That certainly has been an important part of our interaction over the last year.

The government has also spoken about the time of consolidation which started last January and they have been looking at some of the reforms. We’re spending a great deal of time and effort following the process that the government is going through to ensure that there are enough checks and balances. The doors are all still open on both sides.”

“This year, we are celebrating ninety years of U.S.–Hungarian diplomatic relations. Where do you see Hungary’s potential and its place in the international community (historically and currently)?”

“For one thing, I was really struck by the government’s commitment to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Raoul Wallenberg. It takes tremendous courage to openly talk about the past, and for 45 years that opportunity didn’t exist here. It’s important to examine and understand the past – even the painful parts – as a way to chart forward into the future.”

“How do you recharge your body, mind and soul? What does Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis do when not performing her duties as ambassador?”

“My husband and children are here with me, so I spend every possible moment with my little boys who are an endless source of inspiration and entertainment. Budapest is a wonderful city with lots to do for families. We go ice skating in the winter, to Challengeland in the summer and to the Széchenyi Baths all the time. My husband and I love walking and discovering different parts of the city that we are not familiar with.

Last summer we also traveled in Hungary, visiting Hévíz, Debrecen and the Hortobágy. And of course, one of my other favorite things is music and the Sziget Festival. It has been explained to me that Hungarians were deprived of being able to play or listen to western music for so long that they are really passionate about world music. There are endless ways to relax and enjoy living in Hungary. We take advantage of all of that.”

Source: U.S. Embassy Budapest