国际英语新闻：U.S. maintains strong interest in Hungary and Central Europe

BUDAPEST, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi said here Wednesday that the U.S. maintains a strong interest in central Europe and Hungary.

"We trust and are sure that the United States' interest in Central Europe and the West Balkans has not diminished," Martonyi said after a meeting with James Steinberg, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State.

"Changes and transformations taking place within global geopolitics and economics have increased, rather than decreased, the importance of the transatlantic alliance," Martonyi added.

Steinberg also said that the U.S. strongly supports Hungary's efforts to promote the European Union's Eastern Partnership initiative.

Speaking about recent warnings from western governments on possible terrorist attacks in European cities, Steinberg said there was effective cooperation between the U.S. and Europe in the fight against terrorism.

Martonyi said global, transatlantic and European cooperation in the fight against global terrorism needs to be strengthened but there was no need for public alarm. "A threat continuously exists but the relevant security agencies are doing their jobs and working with each other."