By Kevin Akor
WASHINGTON (chatnewstv.com) — The United States and Hungary on Tuesday signed an agreement aimed at expanding cooperation to support Christians and other people of faith facing persecution, particularly in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa, the U.S. State Department said.
Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael J. Rigas and Hungary’s State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Program, Tristan Azbej, signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize joint efforts on religious freedom initiatives.
The agreement “strongly reaffirms the United States’ and Hungary’s commitment to defending our common heritage and promoting religious freedom around the world,” the State Department said in a media note.
U.S. officials said Christians remain the most persecuted religious group globally and warned that violence and discrimination against them often go unaddressed.
“Such persecution presents a threat to American security and undermines the values upon which our nation was built,” the department said, adding that Washington continues to urge allies to provide life-saving assistance to people targeted because of their faith.
Hungary was praised by U.S. officials for what they described as a leading role in supporting persecuted Christians through its Hungary Helps Program.
“Hungary has answered that call, once again affirming its place as a true leader and defender of persecuted Christians,” the statement said, describing the agreement as further evidence of a “golden era of U.S.-Hungary relations.”
The memorandum is expected to facilitate closer coordination on aid and advocacy efforts focused on vulnerable religious communities in conflict-affected regions, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, officials said.
