letter from the publisher

Our international analyst did not have a difficult task when picking the development that had the greatest impact on the world last year. “The year 2022 was dominated by the Russo-Ukrainian war initiated by Russian aggression.” This naked violence of international law, as he rightly put it, has resulted in many losers – primarily the people suffering in Ukraine.

Austria, the second largest trading partner of and the third largest investor in Hungary is in focus in this issue. The Focus features an interview with Ambassador Alexander Grubmayr on the various aspects of bilateral relations in the current challenging international environment.

We also cover the activities of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, the country's largest provider of foreign trade services, the Austrian Cultural Forum and other organizations. Of course, we also feature several Austrian companies active in Hungary.

Hungary’s economic competitiveness to a very large extent hinges on the government’s ability to ensure energy security for the country, according to the German Chamber of Commerce. Our business page reports on the Year Opening Evening of the Chamber and some of the statements made there by the President of the Chamber and the country's new energy minister.

WittyLeaks is authored by the Israeli Ambassador who confesses that “diplomacy to me is not only my work but also the way of life, my hobby and passion.” Part of that is taking trips in the host country and he tells our readers about the famous places he has visited over the three years he has been in Hungary.

There have been numerous figures of Hungarian descent contributing to the success of Hollywood. Our culture page takes you to the northeastern Hungarian village of Ricse, where one of them, Adolph Zukor, the founder of Paramount Pictures, one of the world’s first film studios, was remembered on the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Chefs representing Hungary have achieved a historic success by making it to the podium of the worId’s most prestigious culinary competition, the Bocuse d’Or. In the gastronomy section, you read about the details, including the menu they presented to the international jury.

On the wine page, you can read about new vintage of the northeastern Hungarian Disznókő Estate’s top aszú debuting in Paris and Budapest.

I think it’s safe to say that we are all looking forward to the end of winter where we can cut back on the consumption of gas heating and the shocking gas prices. Inflation is still running here at the highest rate in Europe, 25% according to Eurostat for December 2022, with no reasonable explanation. What’s next???

Peter Freed PUBLISHER