Countries of the World/COUNTRYS.BIN/dp/0163/01631.txt

Text File | 1991-06-25 | 18KB | 301 lines

$Unique_ID{COW01631}
$Pretitle{365}
$Title{Hungary
The Foreign Policy of the Republic of Hungary}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Embassy of Hungary, Washington DC}
$Affiliation{Embassy of Hungary, Washington DC}
$Subject{hungarian
hungary
relations
foreign
european
policy
cooperation
economic
countries
europe}
$Date{1990}
$Log{}
Country:     Hungary
Book:        Hungarian-US relations
Author:      Embassy of Hungary, Washington DC
Affiliation: Embassy of Hungary, Washington DC
Date:        1990

The Foreign Policy of the Republic of Hungary

     The Republic of Hungary pursues an independent foreign policy in which
national interests take priority. It is currently carrying out a change in its
socio-economic system and restoring the full sovereignty of the country in a
favourable international climate. Just as Hungary's domestic policy has
undergone changes, so its foreign policy has also changed tack. This shift in
the orientation of both foreign and external economic policies is in the vital
interest of the nation. Hungary is committed to pluralism and democracy. It is
open to Europe and the world, and has a strong interest in furthering European
unity and integration, sharing, as it does, European culture and traditions as
well as the political, legal and economic order of values.

Foreign political targets

     Hungarian foreign policy gives priority to obtaining full membership of
the European Communities. Associate membership of the EC can be considered an
important, though only a temporary solution. The advantages and obligations
associate membership will bring will help Hungary become a full-fledged member
within the foreseeable future. The country's admission to the Council of
Europe, scheduled for the end of 1990, is a recognition of the fact that the
Hungarian system of political and legal institutions and the high standard of
implementation of human rights in the country are in line with the
requirements of political traditions in Europe.

     The withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary by June 30, 1991, laid down
in the agreement between the Hungarian and Soviet governments, is a
prerequisite for restoring full national independence. By the same token,
Hungary has to revise its relationship with the Warsaw Treaty Organization and
ensure that the country's security will be guaranteed in the longer term by
a pan-European defence system rather than by membership of a military
alliance. Hungarian diplomacy is already making active cooperative efforts
along these lines.

     The changes in Central-Eastern Europe make it inevitable that the
existing interestate agreements with the countries in the region will have to
be revised and new agreements on political, economic, cultural and human
rights and humanitarian relations worked out.

     National security is subject to both external and internal conditions.
The change in the international environment and the new foreign policy
objectives mean Hungary will have to adopt a new military doctrine as soon as
possible and restructure the armed forces accordingly.

European relations

     Europe is the key area of Hungarian foreign policy and the region where
Hungarian diplomacy directs most of its efforts. Now that the continent is no
longer divided and the Cold War is at an end, and because of the changes in
Central-Eastern Europe, a single European-North Atlantic region is emerging
where the political, economic and social systems are governed by shared
principles. This enlarged community of values has increased the chances of
strengthening democracy and creating a social market economy to an
extraordinary extent. In the process of external and internal transformation,
however, Hungary also counts on support from states outside this region under
the various programmes of assistance and aid offered by the Group of 24. The
actual implementation of the programme of support adopted in 1989 is still at
the initial stage at the moment, but however indispensable the offers of aid,
credit and cooperation schemes may be, Hungary still has to realise it will
have to rely mainly on its own strength in order to get its economy back on
its feet again. Given the extent of foreign debt and the degree of economic
and social backwardness the country is in, this will impose enormous burdens
on Hungarian society in its quest to catch up with Western Europe. Hungary
must make those countries which have offered assistance aware of the plight
the national economy is in, and of the incalculable risks that could accompany
the switch-over from a planned economy to a market economy, a road which no
country has ever travelled before.

     Admission to the Council of Europe opens a new chapter in relations
between Hungary and the advanced European countries. Hungary already meets the
requirements of membership. Accession to the conventions adopted by the
Council of Europe and compliance with the European standards these lay down,
call for further legislative efforts.

     Hungarian foreign policy attaches great importance to associate
membership of the European Communities. The country realises that such a
relationship will also allow scope for cooperation in other than economic
fields. The Hungarian view is that it is in everyone's interest to have
exchanges of opinion and coordination with the EC on issues of foreign policy
as well as in agreed or joint statements of position on the vital issues of
Europe, particularly as regards political and economic security. Hungary feels
that concluding the association agreement in 1991 and putting it into effect
as of 1992 are realistic goals. In the second part of the 1990s, the Hungarian
economy could then, with EC support, become capable of full membership. The
Hungarian Government has informed the Commission of the European Communities
of its intention to join the EC.

Change in system and European integration

     The change in system, withdrawal from the Warsaw Treaty Organization, and
possibility of establishing an East-West partnership have brought about a
radical shift in Hungary's relationship to NATO. The Hungarian Government was
the first to establish direct relations with that organization. The conditions
are also there for Hungarian MPs to participate in the work of the North
Atlantic Assembly as special invitees. It will likewise become possible for
Hungary to participate in a similar capacity in the activity of the Western
European Union. The end of confrontation in East-West relations and the quest
of cooperation based on partnership have prompted NATO to reappraise its role
and activity. The transformation process may enable the Western
military-political alliance to assume greater responsibility for European
security. Hungarian foreign policy backs such a change in the role of NATO. It
takes the view that establishing relations and cooperation between NATO and
the East European countries may bring a favourable influence to bear on the
security of this region.

     Cooperation with the advanced European countries has a determining role
to play in promoting the growth of the Hungarian economy and the technological
development of the country. The association agreement with the European
Communities will ensure free trade and the free flow of individuals, services,
and capital. Hungary also seeks to sign a free trade agreement with the EFTA
member states. Establishing cooperation with these two integration
organizations will give Hungary free access to the single Western European
market and the European Economic Area to be created. Since its indebtedness
allows the Hungarian economy to obtain only limited amounts of foreign credit,
it is particularly interested in foreign investments. Nearly 2,000 joint
ventures or foreign enterprises have been established in the country so far
with the involvement of international capital to the tune of $800 million.
The COCOM restrictions on the import of high technology needed for changing
the economic structure in the country still pose palpable problems. The
Hungarian Governmen