Mon, Jun 29, 2015 page3

• Hungarian representative to leave with ‘sad heart’

  • Staff writer, with CNA
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  Hungary’s outgoing representative to Taiwan described his posting in Taiwan as “a gift,” saying that he would never forget the three years he spent here.

  Levente Szekely, who is scheduled to leave Taiwan this week, said that Taiwan was his first assignment in Asia since he became a career diplomat 25 years ago.

  “Taiwan is by far the best post I’ve had,” he said in a recent interview.

  

  Hungarian representative Levente Szekely, whose term as head of the Hungarian Trade Office in Taipei is coming to an end, plays a violin on Dec. 23, 2012.

  Photo: CNA

  He said he was impressed by the greenness of Taipei when he first arrived and the friendliness of its residents. He said he made many Taiwanese friends, including those in the diplomatic community and from other sectors.

  One of the friends he made is Hsu Wen-Lung (許文龍), founder of Chi Mei Group, the violinist-turned-diplomat said.

  They once played a classic Mandarin song, The Moon Represents My Heart (月亮代表我的心), together on violins collected by Hsu, Szekely said, adding that Hsuhas a large private collection of the world’s most famous violins.

  He also took the opportunity to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for supporting his initiatives promoting bilateral exchanges.

  Among his achievements was a series of events to promote cultural exchanges with Taiwan last year, in partnership with three other Central European nations — the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.

  He said Taiwan has demonstrated that “Chinese culture and democracy work perfectly together,” adding that Taiwan preserves traditional Chinese culture and is a vibrant democracy.

  Asked about last year’s Sunflower movement, he said it was a positive thing that “the younger generation is willing to take the future in their hands, because it is about their future.”

  On a more personal level, Szekely said he loves seafood and fruit in Taiwan.

  Lobsters, oysters and shrimp are among his favorites when it comes to seafood, said the diplomat, who is from a landlocked nation where fresh seafood is rare.

  He also gave a thumbs-up to Taiwanese fruit, especially mangoes.

  He said his experience in Taiwan has been mostly positive, but if he had to name one negative thing, it would be the crazy traffic and scooter riders.

  “They look like they want to die,” he said, adding that he was lucky to have an excellent driver, who never cursed or honked at scooters.

  Over the past three years, Szekely has been devoted to promoting bilateral relations in several areas. For example, the two nations have signed agreements on agricultural cooperation and on a reciprocal working holiday program.

  He was also the driving force behind the importation of Hungarian “low-cholesterol pork” and Hungarian wine to Taiwan.

  After three years in Taiwan, he said he would leave with “a very sad heart.”

  Taiwan has left a deep impression on him and his wife, he said, promising that he would always be a spokesperson for Taiwan.

  “We were supposed to stay four years. Now it has been cut short,” he said. “It is very sad that I have to leave. My only hope is that I will be able to return.”

  “We will never forget these three years. This was a gift, the best part of my career, of our lives generally,” he said.
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