Hungarian officials criticize U.S. sanctions on gov't minister

Budapest [Hungary], January 8: Hungary's foreign minister criticized the outgoing U.S. administration and its ambassador on Tuesday for imposing sanctions on the Hungarian minister in charge of the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office, Antal Rogan.
Earlier on the day, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Rogan had been sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act for alleged involvement in corruption. Rogan was accused of misusing his position to benefit politically connected individuals and orchestrating schemes to control key sectors of Hungary's economy for personal and political gain.
However, Hungary's Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto responded on Facebook: "This is the personal vendetta of the ambassador sent to Hungary by the failed American administration, who is leaving our country unsuccessfully and ingloriously."
Szijjarto added that in a few days, the United States "will be led by people who see our country as a friend, not an enemy."
Gergely Gulyas, the head of the Prime Minister's Office, echoed the foreign minister's remarks, describing the sanctions as "petty revenge" by the outgoing U.S. Democratic administration.
Speaking to the Hungarian news agency MTI, Gulyas said the decision reflects lingering tensions from Hungary's support for incoming U.S. President Donald Trump during his previous election campaigns.
Gulyas added that he believes the incoming administration will allow for a fresh start for Hungarian-American relations.
Source: Xinhua News Agency