RIYADH: Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci bid farewell to the Kingdom as he concluded his decade-long tenure.
Selmeci visited Arab Information headquarters in Riyadh on Monday, the place he met with Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas.
The envoy mentioned his objectives have been to strengthen political and diplomatic relations, develop financial ties and promote a constructive picture of Hungary in Saudi Arabia.
Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Balazs Selmeci with Arab Information Editor-in-Chief Faisal J. Abbas in Riyadh on Monday. (AN photograph by Huda Bashatah)
On the similar time, Selmeci sought to focus on Saudi Arabia’s adjustments and alternatives in Hungary, in addition to the hospitality and kindness of the Saudi folks.
“I consider I achieved good leads to each areas, because of the assist of Saudi establishments, the folks and my colleagues on the embassy,” Selmeci instructed Arab Information.
Reflecting on his time within the Kingdom, Selmeci highlighted the numerous adjustments he witnessed through the years. He singled out the closing ceremony of Riyadh Season at King Fahd Stadium as a second that symbolized Saudi Arabia’s speedy transformation.
Saudi society confirmed dedication to the reforms, resulting in a extra open and globally related nation.
Balazs Selmeci, Hungarian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia
He recalled that the stadium was stuffed with women and men collectively, and Saudi ballet dancers carried out on stage — one thing that might have been unimaginable earlier.
“At that second, I spotted how a lot Saudi Arabia had modified. I noticed many proficient Saudis and felt their happiness, each on stage and within the viewers,” the envoy mentioned.
Over greater than 10 years in Saudi Arabia, Selmeci noticed the transformative impression of Imaginative and prescient 2030, together with societal reforms and financial diversification.
He added that social reforms — akin to involving girls within the workforce, growing their participation throughout sectors, welcoming worldwide guests and occasions, and balancing custom with modernization — laid the muse for financial progress.
“Imaginative and prescient 2030 itself required nice braveness from the management and robust assist from the Saudi folks,” Selmeci mentioned.
From the outset, Saudi society confirmed dedication to the reforms, resulting in a extra open and globally related nation, he added.
“These social and ongoing financial reforms have elevated Saudi Arabia’s worldwide presence and affect,” Selmeci mentioned.
He added that the reforms have allowed foreigners to higher perceive the Kingdom and construct belief, and that the dedication of each the federal government and the folks gives a robust basis for fulfillment.
Selmeci started his tenure as ambassador on Nov. 14, 2019, presenting his credentials to Saudi Overseas Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Dec. 12, and to King Salman on Jan. 8, 2020.
Earlier than then, he served in Riyadh as deputy head of mission from March 2014 to June 2018, marking greater than a decade since he first started working to strengthen Saudi-Hungarian relations.
Throughout his tenure, he oversaw the first-ever bilateral assembly between the 2 international locations’ international ministers within the Kingdom, in addition to the primary bilateral assembly between their protection ministers.
Selmeci mentioned that among the many financial cooperation tasks throughout his tenure, his favorites have been the reestablishment of the Saudi-Hungarian Enterprise Council, the launch of the Saudi-Hungarian Digitalization Cluster and the creation of the primary Saudi-Hungarian three way partnership within the Kingdom.
He additionally prolonged his finest needs to the Saudi folks, encouraging them to proceed working with willpower towards a greater life, making the nation extra affluent whereas preserving its traditions and heritage.
Requested what message he would depart for his successor, Selmeci expressed hope that they might construct on these achievements and attain even better successes, whereas creating as many memorable experiences as he did.
He added that his successor may depend on the total assist of the Saudi management, officers, the folks, the diplomatic corps and embassy employees.
In his closing remarks, the ambassador mentioned he deliberate to return to the Kingdom sooner or later — “whilst a easy vacationer, to stroll in King Salman Park, go to Qiddiya or attend Expo 2030.”
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