Ambassador Kocsis speaks of Hungarian Freedom Fighters and competitiveness in the latest annual publication of the Netherlands-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Dutcham)
Of Freedom Fighters and Competitiveness
On 6 July 2016, I presented my credentials as Ambassador to His Majesty Willem Alexander, King of the Netherlands. However, my service as a Hungarian diplomat in this beautiful country has a longer history, since I served as a deputy head of mission from 2012 to 2015.
Dutch-Hungarian bilateral relations extend beyond shared democratic values and mutual respect. These values are firmly anchored in economic, cultural and political exchange, through the EU membership of both countries. Connections now exist at all levels of society and in all possible walks of life among individuals, civil and public organisations, and scientific and governmental institutions. Numerous foreign and multinational companies are present in Hungary. Generating more than EUR 12 billion in investments upuntil 2014, the Netherlands is the secondlargest foreign investor in Hungary.
Situated at the crossroads of four main European transportation corridors, Hungary is an ideal place for investment. It has an excellent logistical position in the heart of Europe, supported by highly developed infrastructure. With a continuously developing road and rail network, the country provides easy access to the ever-growing Central and Eastern European markets and beyond. The Hungarian Government has recently initiated a set of reforms to enhance the competitiveness of the country and to promote more foreign direct investment: we have reduced the tax burden of businesses (the corporate income tax rate was reduced from 19% to 10% for a tax base of less than EUR 1.8 million), and introduced a single rate personal income tax (15%). The reputation of the highly qualified Hungarian workforce was further enhanced with the introduction of the dual education system.
Foreign companies find a stable political and economic environment in Hungary. The economy has been set on a steady growth path; it grew by 2.9% in 2015. Hungary was also one of the few countries that could continuously keep its budget deficit below 3% and lower its publicdebt overthepast few years.Setting a 26-year high, almost 4.3 million people worked and paid taxes in the first quarter of 2016, out of a population of 9.9 million. Hungary has reduced the unemployment rate by the biggest margin in the EU, from 11.8% to 5.8%.
This autumn, Hungary commemorates the 60th anniversary of the nation’s tragic yet uplifting revolution and freedom fight against the communist dictatorship in 1956. It was on 23 October 1956 when the first images of a country in revolt within the seemingly pacified Socialist Block emerged, triggering an unprecedented wave of sympathy worldwide, soon to be followed by grief over a crushed revolution and its victims. From August to November 2016, the Embassy of Hungary in The Hague is organising an extensive series of commemoration events throughout the Netherlands, in cooperation with local partners. The commemoration season aims to present previously untold stories of rebellion and compassion, as well as thanking the people of the Netherlands for the hospitality they offered to our freedom fighters. The national commemoration service will take place on 23 October 2016 with the participation of the Dutch Minister for Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders.
Furthermore, in the framework of the Bartók memorial year, between 17 and 20 November, a rich Bartók programme will take place in The Hague, thanks to a collaboration between the Liszt Academy of Budapest, the Royal Conservatory of The Hague and the Embassy of Hungary.
As an active multilateral stakeholder, Hungary also deems it essential to be duly represented in and before the international organisations based in the Netherlands. Hungary is a committed member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and supports the case of international criminal justice in the framework of co-operation with the International Criminal Court.
