Hungary–Mexico relations
Encyclopedia
Hungary-Mexico relations refer to foreign relations between Hungary
and Mexico
. Relations date back to the short reign of the Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico
from 1864-1867. Diplomatic relations with Austria–Hungary were established in 1901, but were suspended between 1941 and 1974. They were re-established on May 14, 1974. The Mexican embassy in Budapest
was opened on September 30, 1976. Hungary has an embassy in Mexico City
and 3 honorary consulates (in Guadalupe
, Guadalajara
and Cancún
). Mexico has an embassy in Budapest
. Trade between the two countries continues to grow steadily.
Paprika
, a key ingredient in Hungarian dishes such as Goulash
, originated in Mexico and was perhaps brought to Hungary by way of Turkey
in the 17th century.
The Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico
, who ruled from 1864-1867 was brother of Franz Joseph I
, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Maximilian I's residence in Mexico city, Chapultepec Castle, is now a museum that has some fine 1860s furnishings and artwork from Austria-Hungary
.
In 1977, Losonczi Pál
, Head of the Presidential Council of the People's Republic of Hungary
visited Mexico. In April 1990, the Chancellor of Mexico Fernando Solana
paid an official visit to Hungary. In October 1991 the State Secretary of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Ferenc Somogyi
visited Mexico. The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Géza Jeszenszky visited Mexico in March 1992. In July 1992, President Carlos Salinas de Gortari made the first state visit by a Mexican president to Hungary.
At the start of 1997, the Hungarian State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Istvan Szent-Ivanyi
visited Cuba
and Mexico. In April 1997, President Árpád Göncz
of Hungary paid a state visit to Mexico, the first since relations had been reestablished, meeting Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo
. In November 2001, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
visited Mexico, where he attended a meeting of Leaders of Christian-Democratic Parties. In 2004, Mexican President Vicente Fox
visited Hungary to discuss a future economic cooperation agreement that would boost economic and trade relations.
In April 1997, President Göncz stressed the future of bilateral trade, which he said had quadrupled over the last two years to US$22.8 million, with Hungarian exports totaling US$6.1 million. Another sources gives 1996 Hungarian exports, mainly machinery, at somewhat below US$7 million, while Mexican imports amounted to US$29 million. In 2004, Gyula Németh, Hungarian ambassador to Mexico said he expected relations between Mexico and Hungary to grow even stronger after Hungary joined the European Union later that year. He noted that Mexico was already the second most important Latin American trade partner for Hungary. By 2004, Hungarian exports to Mexico were about US$120 million and imports from Mexico about US$57.3 million.
, wife of Diego Rivera
. The Hungarian Géza Maróti
contributed the bronze sculpture group on top of the dome of the Palacio de Bellas Artes
and other works inside this building, completed in 1934. Gunther Gerszo, another Mexican of Hungarian descent, was a painter, designer and director and screenwriter for film and theatre. Jorge Mester
, a conductor and violinist was born in Mexico City to parents who had emigrated from Hungary. He has conducted many of the world's leading ensembles, including the Boston Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
. George Rosenkranz
, born in Hungary in 1916, is a prominent scientist in steroid research who spent most of his life in Mexico.
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Relations date back to the short reign of the Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire.After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864, with the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican monarchists who sought to revive the Mexican monarchy...
from 1864-1867. Diplomatic relations with Austria–Hungary were established in 1901, but were suspended between 1941 and 1974. They were re-established on May 14, 1974. The Mexican embassy in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
was opened on September 30, 1976. Hungary has an embassy in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
and 3 honorary consulates (in Guadalupe
Guadalupe, Nuevo León
Guadalupe is a city and surrounding municipality located in the state of Nuevo León, in northern Mexico. It is part of the Greater Monterrey Metropolitan area....
, Guadalajara
Guadalajara
Guadalajara may refer to:In Mexico:*Guadalajara, Jalisco, the capital of the state of Jalisco and second largest city in Mexico**Guadalajara Metropolitan Area*University of Guadalajara, a public university in Guadalajara, Jalisco...
and Cancún
Cancún
Cancún is a city of international tourism development certified by the UNWTO . Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR Cancún is a city of...
). Mexico has an embassy in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
. Trade between the two countries continues to grow steadily.
History
Paprika
Paprika is a spice made from the grinding of dried fruits of Capsicum annuum . In many European languages, the word paprika refers to bell peppers themselves. The seasoning is used in many cuisines to add color and flavor to dishes. Paprika can range from mild to hot...
, a key ingredient in Hungarian dishes such as Goulash
Goulash
Goulash is a soup or stew of meat, noodles and vegetables , seasoned with paprika and other spices. Originating in Hungary, goulash is also a popular meal in Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Romania, Scandinavia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the north-eastern Italian region of Friuli Venezia...
, originated in Mexico and was perhaps brought to Hungary by way of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
in the 17th century.
The Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire.After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864, with the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican monarchists who sought to revive the Mexican monarchy...
, who ruled from 1864-1867 was brother of Franz Joseph I
Franz Joseph I of Austria
Franz Joseph I or Francis Joseph I was Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, King of Croatia, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Galicia and Lodomeria and Grand Duke of Cracow from 1848 until his death in 1916.In the December of 1848, Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria abdicated the throne as part of...
, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Maximilian I's residence in Mexico city, Chapultepec Castle, is now a museum that has some fine 1860s furnishings and artwork from Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
.
Diplomatic relations
After the First World War, the Austro-Hungarian mission was liquidated. When relations resumed, the first Hungarian representative in Mexico was Count Ladislas Széchenyi, also head of the Washington D.C. legation, who first visited Mexico in 1925. Relations were again suspended during the Second World War, and Mexico did not resume relations with Hungary until May 14, 1974. In May 2009, the two countries celebrated 35 years of continuous relations since that date.In 1977, Losonczi Pál
Pál Losonczi
Pál Losonczi was a Hungarian Communist political figure. He was Chairman of the Hungarian Presidential Council from 1967 to 1987....
, Head of the Presidential Council of the People's Republic of Hungary
People's Republic of Hungary
The People's Republic of Hungary or Hungarian People's Republic was the official state name of Hungary from 1949 to 1989 during its Communist period under the guidance of the Soviet Union. The state remained in existence until 1989 when opposition forces consolidated in forcing the regime to...
visited Mexico. In April 1990, the Chancellor of Mexico Fernando Solana
Fernando Solana
Fernando Solana Morales is a Mexican diplomat, politician and businessman. He has served as the Mexican Secretary of Public Education, of Commerce and of Foreign Affairs....
paid an official visit to Hungary. In October 1991 the State Secretary of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Ferenc Somogyi
Ferenc Somogyi
Ferenc Somogyi is a former Hungarian Ambassador to the United States.-Career:A former businessman, he is a member of the Hungarian Socialist Party and served as foreign minister from November 1, 2004 until a cabinet shuffle in June 2006. His appointment to that position was announced in September...
visited Mexico. The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Géza Jeszenszky visited Mexico in March 1992. In July 1992, President Carlos Salinas de Gortari made the first state visit by a Mexican president to Hungary.
At the start of 1997, the Hungarian State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Istvan Szent-Ivanyi
István Szent-Iványi
István Szent-Iványi is a Hungarian politician and former Member of the European Parliament for the Alliance of Free Democrats, part of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party.-About his work:...
visited Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and Mexico. In April 1997, President Árpád Göncz
Árpád Göncz
Árpád Göncz is a Hungarian liberal politician and former President of Hungary . Göncz played a role in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956...
of Hungary paid a state visit to Mexico, the first since relations had been reestablished, meeting Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo
Ernesto Zedillo
Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León is a Mexican economist and politician. He served as President of Mexico from December 1, 1994 to November 30, 2000, as the last of the uninterrupted seventy year line of Mexican presidents from the Institutional Revolutionary Party...
. In November 2001, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Viktor Orbán
Viktor Orbán is a Hungarian populist and conservative politician and current Prime Minister of Hungary...
visited Mexico, where he attended a meeting of Leaders of Christian-Democratic Parties. In 2004, Mexican President Vicente Fox
Vicente Fox
Vicente Fox Quesada is a Mexican former politician who served as President of Mexico from 1 December 2000 to 30 November 2006 and currently serves as co-President of the Centrist Democrat International, an international organization of Christian democratic political parties.Fox was elected...
visited Hungary to discuss a future economic cooperation agreement that would boost economic and trade relations.
Agreements
- In April 1975 the two countries signed a trade agreement.
- In February 1977 Mexico and Hungary signed an agreement on scientific and technical cooperation.
- In 1997 the presidents of the two countries signed agreements to foster cooperation between their diplomatic corps, on air transportation, education, culture, investments.
Economic relations
During the 1960s and 1970s, Hungarian exports to Latin America accounted for over 6% of Hungary's total exports, supplying low-cost but reasonable-quality manufactured goods and medicines. Exports declined greatly from that peak in the 1980s and 1990s. However, from a low of about US$5 million in 1990, trade with Mexico has expanded steadily.In April 1997, President Göncz stressed the future of bilateral trade, which he said had quadrupled over the last two years to US$22.8 million, with Hungarian exports totaling US$6.1 million. Another sources gives 1996 Hungarian exports, mainly machinery, at somewhat below US$7 million, while Mexican imports amounted to US$29 million. In 2004, Gyula Németh, Hungarian ambassador to Mexico said he expected relations between Mexico and Hungary to grow even stronger after Hungary joined the European Union later that year. He noted that Mexico was already the second most important Latin American trade partner for Hungary. By 2004, Hungarian exports to Mexico were about US$120 million and imports from Mexico about US$57.3 million.
Cultural and scientific links
Perhaps the most famous Mexican of Hungarian descent was the painter Frida KahloFrida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican painter, born in Coyoacán, and perhaps best known for her self-portraits....
, wife of Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera
Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez was a prominent Mexican painter born in Guanajuato, Guanajuato, an active communist, and husband of Frida Kahlo . His large wall works in fresco helped establish the Mexican Mural Movement in...
. The Hungarian Géza Maróti
Géza Maróti
Géza Maróti was a Hungarian architect, sculptor, painter, and applied artist.Maroti was from a rural merchant family and began his career as a woodcarver but later went on to complete studies in Budapest and Vienna...
contributed the bronze sculpture group on top of the dome of the Palacio de Bellas Artes
Palacio de Bellas Artes
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is the most important cultural center in Mexico City as well as the rest of the country of Mexico...
and other works inside this building, completed in 1934. Gunther Gerszo, another Mexican of Hungarian descent, was a painter, designer and director and screenwriter for film and theatre. Jorge Mester
Jorge Mester
Jorge Mester is a Mexican conductor of Hungarian ancestry.-Biography:He studied conducting with Jean Morel at the Juilliard School in New York, and worked with Leonard Bernstein at the Berkshire Music Center and with Albert Wolff...
, a conductor and violinist was born in Mexico City to parents who had emigrated from Hungary. He has conducted many of the world's leading ensembles, including the Boston Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
. George Rosenkranz
George Rosenkranz
George Rosenkranz is a Mexican scientist in steroid research and a professional bridge player. He was born in Hungary, educated in Switzerland and lived in Mexico for 66 years...
, born in Hungary in 1916, is a prominent scientist in steroid research who spent most of his life in Mexico.