Speaking at a conference organised by the Századvég Foundation on the outlook for ties during the upcoming presidency of Donald Trump, Mack said the recent telephone conversation between Trump and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had got relations off to a very good start, and it appeared that ties would develop favourably.

Also, it looks likely that the two leaders will enjoy a long-term and personal relationship, he said. Whoever is appointed as Secretary of State will certainly recognise the significance of US-Hungary relations, Mack said.

Hungarians often in the past eight years had been under the impression that no one in the US administration favoured their country, but now a new page in relations would be turned, he said. Energy will be a major issue for both governments.

For the US, it will be important to help its partners to diversify their supplies, Mack said, adding that the US would in future play a leading role in this kind of area.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.