Dear Visitor,

As Hungary’s newly appointed Ambassador to Ukraine, I welcome you to the website of our Embassy. I am taking up this office at a time decisive both in the history of Ukraine, of Hungary, and of the European Union.

The EU is undergoing a process of significant transformation. Originally, this union was conceived for six countries, now it has 27 members with a population of about half a billion. Over the past 50 years, the world has dramatically changed , so has Europe, and European integration. The challenges we are faced with are very different from those in the fifties. The new situation requires a new institutional system, new policies and a new decision-making process to adequately respond to the new challenges. This is what the EU is currently working at.

Ukraine has also changed during the past decades. In 1991, she became an independent, sovereign state, and now she cherishes a strong and committed European choice while finalizing her Association Agreement with the European Union, negotiating a DCFTA, and implementing her Action Plan towards a visa-free regime.

It is in this context that Hungary is taking up the rotational EU presidency from 1st January 2011. During this period, and beyond, the Republic of Hungary, both as an EU member state and as a neighbour is committed to maintaining and further strenghthening the traditionally excellent neighbourly relations with Ukraine, and will do whatever there is in her competence to help Ukraine’s integration agenda.

The first steps have already been taken. The three highest ranking dignitaries of our respective countries, the two presidents, the two speakers of parliament, and the two prime ministers have already established direct, personal contact with each other. They are committed to coordinate and harmonize efforts to make sure that the common goals of our two countries are achieved.

Navigating through the pages of our homepage, you will see how the relations between Hungary and Ukraine are developing. We will keep you updated on current issues in an effort to give you a precise and clear picture on our relations both in a bilateral and an European context.

Mihály Bayer
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Republic of Hungary to Ukraine