RIYADH, 2 May 2005 — A diplomatic rift between Riyadh and Budapest, which began early this year when Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany allegedly referred to members of the Saudi football team as “terrorists”, came to an end yesterday with Saudi Arabia announcing the restoration of full relations with Hungary.

Hisham Al-Nahili, a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said that Faisal Hashim, Saudi ambassador to Hungary, would shortly return to his position.

“Ambassador Hashim is waiting to make a courtesy call on Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the foreign minister, before returning to Budapest,” said Al-Nahili. He said that all issues had been resolved amicably and there were no problems between the Kingdom and Hungary.

The Saudi ambassador was recalled by Riyadh in February this year in protest over the off-the-cuff remarks made by the Hungarian prime minister on Feb. 2 about Saudi soccer players.

Gyurcsany has since apologized for his remarks, once publicly in a radio interview and several times through diplomatic channels. The Hungarian prime minister also apologized in a letter delivered to the Saudi government by Hungarian Ambassador Istvan Tolli in Riyadh. The Hungarian foreign minister also tendered his apology via the Saudi ambassador in Budapest at the time.

Asked his comments on bilateral relations, Ambassador Tolli said that: “I am happy that the Saudi ambassador, a very hard-working diplomat, is returning to the Hungarian capital. He has been working for the benefits of the two countries.”

He hoped relations between the two countries would move forward.

On political and commercial fronts, Budapest seeks to forge closer ties with the Kingdom. The two countries have finalized a draft of a framework agreement, which will help to boost political, economic and cultural relations. The trade between Riyadh and Budapest is approximately $100 million annually.

Prince Saud and Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari, minister of higher education, have been invited to visit Budapest. The Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) and Hungarian Chamber of Commerce have already signed an agreement to boost commercial links.

The last high-raking visit between the two countries was in February 2001 when then Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visited the Kingdom.