RIYADH, 21 February 2005 — An official at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed yesterday that Saudi Arabia has recalled its ambassador from Hungary after offensive remarks made by the Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany. Following a friendly football match, the prime minister referred to the Saudi players as “Arab terrorists.”
The official in charge of media affairs at the ministry in Riyadh said, “I am aware of the incident and I can confirm that the Saudi ambassador to Hungary has been recalled for consultations.”
The Hungarian ambassador to the Kingdom, Istvan Tolli, told Arab News that the prime minister had apologized for the comments which were made at a private party in “a casual manner with the intention of creating jokes and laughter.”
Tolli added, “I am awaiting an appointment with any senior official at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to deliver a letter to Crown Prince Abdullah from the Hungarian prime minister.”
The ambassador explained, “This small incident has been blown out of proportion by the media.” He clarified that the visit of the speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, Katalin Szili, originally set for Feb. 19-22, had been “postponed” rather than “canceled” and that the speaker would travel to the Kingdom on a mutually agreed date in future.
He rejected media allegations that the trip had been canceled in protest at Gyurcsany’s remarks.
Tolli pointed out that Hungary had invited Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari to visit the country. “In fact the invitations have been pending for some time now,” he added.
The last visit by a Hungarian official to the Kingdom was in February 2001 when then Prime Minister Viktor Orban came and an agreement boosting commercial relations was signed.
Trade between the two countries is estimated at approximately $100 million annually. Hungary is seeking close relations in all sectors, Tolli explained.
