Péter Balázs
Encyclopedia
Péter Balázs is a Hungarian politician
and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, born in Kecskemét
, 1941. In addition to his native Hungarian
, he also speaks English, French, German and Russian.
He graduated from Budapest School of Economics
in 1963 and worked in the Hungarian government until 1 May 2004 when his country joined the European Union and was appointed to the European Commission
with Michel Barnier
under Romano Prodi
.
He became the Hungarian European Commissioner holding the Regional Policy portfolio
until the end of the Prodi Commission
on 21 November 2004. He was succeeded by László Kovács as the Hungarian Commissioner and Danuta Hübner
as Commissioner for regional policy.
Balázs became a professor at the International Relations and European Studies Department of the Central European University
(CEU), Budapest. In 2005, he established a new research center
for EU Enlargement Studies at the CEU.
Péter Balázs became the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs in April 2009, serving until May 2010.
Péter Balázs, when addressing the topic of Hungary-Slovakia relations compared the creation of the language law of Slovakia
to the politics of the Ceauşescu
regime on the use of language. He was succeeded by János Martonyi
.
Politics of Hungary
Politics of Hungary takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The Prime Minister is the head of government of a pluriform multi-party system, while the President is the head of state and holds a largely ceremonial position.Executive power is exercised by the...
and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, born in Kecskemét
Kecskemét
Kecskemét is a city in the central part of Hungary. It is the 8th largest city of the country, and the county seat of Bács-Kiskun.Kecskemét lies halfway between the capital Budapest and the country's third-largest city, Szeged, 86 kilometres from both of them and almost equal distance from the two...
, 1941. In addition to his native Hungarian
Hungarian language
Hungarian is a Uralic language, part of the Ugric group. With some 14 million speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken non-Indo-European languages in Europe....
, he also speaks English, French, German and Russian.
He graduated from Budapest School of Economics
Corvinus University of Budapest
The Corvinus University of Budapest is one of the most prestigious Hungarian universities located in Budapest, Hungary. The university offers degrees in multiple disciplines, but it is characterised by its programmes in economics and management. -History:...
in 1963 and worked in the Hungarian government until 1 May 2004 when his country joined the European Union and was appointed to the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
with Michel Barnier
Michel Barnier
Michel Barnier is a French politician of the Union for a Popular Movement and Vice President of the European People's Party . He is the current European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services...
under Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi is an Italian politician and statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of Italy, from 17 May 1996 to 21 October 1998 and from 17 May 2006 to 8 May 2008...
.
He became the Hungarian European Commissioner holding the Regional Policy portfolio
European Commissioner for Regional Policy
The Commissioner for Regional Policy is a portfolio within the European Commission. The current Commissioner is Johannes Hahn.The portfolio is responsible for managing the regional policy of the European Union, such as the European Regional Development Fund, which takes up a third of the EU's...
until the end of the Prodi Commission
Prodi Commission
The Prodi Commission was the European Commission in office between 1999 and 2004. The administration was led by former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.-History:...
on 21 November 2004. He was succeeded by László Kovács as the Hungarian Commissioner and Danuta Hübner
Danuta Hübner
Danuta Hübner is a Polish economist, academic, and policy maker. She served as European Commissioner for Regional Policy from 22 November 2004 until 4 July 2009, when she resigned to become a Member of European Parliament for the Civic Platform....
as Commissioner for regional policy.
Balázs became a professor at the International Relations and European Studies Department of the Central European University
Central European University
For other uses, see European University Central European University is a graduate-level, English-language university offering degrees in the social sciences, humanities, law, public policy, business management, environmental science, and mathematics...
(CEU), Budapest. In 2005, he established a new research center
Research center
A research center is a facility or building dedicated to research, commonly with the focus on a specific area. There are over 14,000 research centers in the United States...
for EU Enlargement Studies at the CEU.
Péter Balázs became the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs in April 2009, serving until May 2010.
Péter Balázs, when addressing the topic of Hungary-Slovakia relations compared the creation of the language law of Slovakia
Language law of Slovakia
The state language law of Slovakia fixes the status and regulates the use of the Slovak language. It took force in 1995 and underwent a major amendment in 2009....
to the politics of the Ceauşescu
Nicolae Ceausescu
Nicolae Ceaușescu was a Romanian Communist politician. He was General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 to 1989, and as such was the country's second and last Communist leader...
regime on the use of language. He was succeeded by János Martonyi
János Martonyi
János Martonyi is a Hungarian politician and Foreign Minister of Hungary. He is a member of the Fidesz party, and was also Foreign Minister between 1998 and 2002...
.