Hungary and Trump Administration Deepen Cooperation to Protect Persecuted Christians

Hungary and the United States are strengthening cooperation in supporting persecuted Christians and defending global religious freedom, State Secretary Tristan Azbej announced following high-level meetings in Washington with senior officials from the Trump administration.

Hungary Helps Persecuted Christians Tristan Azbej Religious Freedom US-Hungary Relations

State Secretary Azbej, who oversees the Hungary Helps humanitarian program at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, held talks on Thursday and Friday with U.S. government and faith-based leaders about joint efforts to aid persecuted Christian and other religious minority communities worldwide.

The purpose of my visit was to gain both governmental and non-governmental allies for Hungary’s program to assist persecuted Christians. U.S.–Hungarian relations are entering a new, upward phase under the Trump administration. — State Secretary Tristan Azbej, MTI

Trump Administration’s Commitment

According to State Secretary Azbej, the Trump administration has repeatedly signaled its readiness to cooperate with the Orbán government in a range of areas and has shown clear commitment to Christian values and the protection of religious freedom.

State Secretary Azbej noted that President Donald Trump, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week, echoed a position long held by Hungary — that Christianity is the most persecuted religion in the world. The president also identified the protection of persecuted Christians and the promotion of international religious freedom as key U.S. priorities.

Global Christian Persecution: A Shared Priority

Both the United States and Hungary have recognized that Christians face unprecedented levels of persecution globally, from the Middle East to Africa and Asia. This shared recognition has become a cornerstone of renewed bilateral cooperation on humanitarian and religious freedom initiatives.

High-Level Washington Meetings

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Sebastian Gorka

White House Director for Counterterrorism – Discussed threats to religious minorities

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U.S. Office of International Religious Freedom

Senior officials coordinating global religious freedom initiatives

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White House Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Office

Collaboration on faith-based humanitarian programs

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Office of Management and Budget

Strategic resource allocation for religious freedom programs

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Religious Freedom Institute

President of leading American NGO on religious liberty issues

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U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Michael J. Rigas

Concluding meeting on Friday to discuss bilateral cooperation

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Humanitarian of the Year Award

Tristan Azbej’s visit concluded Friday evening in Detroit, where he accepted the Humanitarian of the Year award on behalf of the Hungary Helps Program from the Chaldean Community Foundation.

The award honors Hungary’s commitment and tireless support for persecuted Christian communities around the world, particularly those in Iraq.

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Hungary Helps Program

A comprehensive humanitarian initiative providing direct assistance to persecuted Christian and religious minority communities worldwide.

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Focus on Iraq

Special emphasis on supporting Chaldean Christians and other communities devastated by conflict and persecution in the Middle East.

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Bilateral Partnership

Enhanced US-Hungary cooperation signals a new era of shared commitment to protecting religious freedom globally.

A New Chapter in US-Hungary Relations

The meetings represent a significant strengthening of ties between the two nations, particularly in the realm of humanitarian assistance and religious freedom advocacy. Both countries have positioned themselves as champions of persecuted Christians, and this renewed partnership is expected to result in expanded joint initiatives and resource sharing.

The recognition by the Chaldean Community Foundation underscores the tangible impact of Hungary’s humanitarian efforts, particularly in regions where Christian communities face existential threats.

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