    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [May 23, 1991]
    [Pages 548-549]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on President Bush's Meeting With
    President Arpad Goncz of Hungary
    May 23, 1991

        President Bush met for approximately 30 minutes this morning with
    Hungarian President Arpad Goncz. The President expressed his
    understanding for the difficulties Hungary faces in transforming the
    Hungarian economy and pledged America's continuing strong support. He
    said that Hungary and the United States will work together to assure
    that Hungarian democracy succeeds.
        The two leaders talked about ways to expand U.S. trade and
    investment in Hungary. Toward that end, a team of U.S. experts is
    visiting Budapest this week to review with Hungarian officials
    impediments to expanded trade and possible ways of overcoming them. This
    is part of our effort to assure the new democracies of Central and
    Eastern Europe the widest pos-

    [[Page 549]]

    sible access to U.S. and European markets, which we expect will be a
    major theme of the G-7 summit. President Goncz expressed his gratitude
    for U.S. understanding and support. In this context, the two Presidents
    also agreed on the importance for the successful conclusion of the
    Uruguay round.
        The two leaders also discussed nationalities conflicts in Central
    and Eastern Europe, as well as transformations in the Soviet Union.