[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.