Washington, D.C. – Hungary’s State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Program, Tristan Azbej, has declared a significant shift in U.S.-Hungarian relations following his official visit to Washington.
Posting on social media, Azbej stated, “We have reached the threshold of great diplomatic success in the United States!” He expressed optimism that Hungary and the U.S. could soon revive their pre-2020 cooperation on aiding persecuted Christians—moving away from politically charged funding practices.
Renewing Strategic Alliances
During his visit, Azbej met with Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump’s Chief Adviser for Middle East Affairs. Their discussions focused on strengthening international efforts to protect persecuted Christian communities, an issue both governments have prioritized in the past.
Azbej emphasized that Hungary remains committed to defending religious freedom worldwide, highlighting the importance of U.S.-Hungary cooperation in this area.
Shifting U.S. Foreign Policy
His visit comes amid broader diplomatic shifts in Washington. Under the Biden administration, millions of dollars in U.S. aid were directed toward supporting opposition activities in Hungary. However, with the Trump administration reasserting control over foreign aid policy, Hungary sees an opportunity to move past political interference and focus on humanitarian efforts.
Azbej’s farewell message, “Goodbye America! Important meetings, strong alliances, and a common stand for persecuted Christians,” signals a successful visit and a renewed partnership in the making.
Hungary’s Continued Commitment
Hungary, through its Hungary Helps Program, has long championed religious freedom and direct aid to persecuted Christian communities in the Middle East and Africa. With U.S.-Hungarian relations entering a new phase, Budapest is eager to resume joint initiatives that were put on hold in 2020.
As Azbej put it, “We will continue the joint work!” ✝️🌍