The governments of Palau and Hungary yesterday named Leilani Reklai, Editor and Publisher of the Island Times Newspaper and CEO of the PRA Incorporated as Hungary’s Honorary Consul to Palau.
Ms. Reklai’s appointment coincides with the opening of the Honorary Consulate of Hungary in Koror.
A press release from the Embassy of Hungary in Manila said the consulate office in Koror will provide “a live local connection between Hungary and Palau.”
It added that due to the coronavirus restrictions, the opening took place through video link between the Ministry of State of the Republic of Palau and the Embassy of Hungary in Manila.
Hungary is convinced that Honorary Consul Reklai will wholeheartedly represent, protect and promote the rights and the interest of Hungary, the Hungarián citizens to the best of her abilities and thus the economic, trade, cultural, scientific and touristic ties between Hungary and the Republic of Palau, will further intensify.”
Reklai has served as the Governor of Aimeliik State, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Communications Corporation, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and President of the Belau Tourism Association.
Diplomatic relations between Palau and Hungary was established in 2017 and His Excellency Dr. József Bencze, Ambassador of Hungary in the Philippines was accredited to Palau by President Tommy Remengesau Jr. and represented Hungary at the 25th Anniversary of Independence of Palau in 2019.
Ambassador. József Bencze, previously served as Ambassador of Hungary to Skopje, Macedonia between 2011-2016 and was Hungary’s National Chief of Police between 2007-2010. He is Ambassador in Manila since 2016.
Dr. Bencze’s visited Palau last year and stressed “the growing importance of Palau and its potential for Hungary to cooperate in common areas of interest such as water treatment, aquaculture as well as the possibilities of information technology in governance.”
The link between Palau and Hungary can be seen in the high school in Koror which bears the name of Cardinal Mindszenty.
To celebrate the connection, during the 50th anniversary of the school, the Mindszenty Heritage Commission awarded the school with the Mindszenty commemorative award.
Cardinal Mindszenty is an iconic hero of the fight against the communist regime in Hungary, the release said.
The Embassy of Hungary also opened a “Hungarian corner” by donating books about Hungary to the library of the Mindszenty High School and the Palau Community College Library. (B. Carreon)
Congratulations to Ms. Leilani Reklai, for her appointment as Honorary Consul at Hungary Consulate in Koror. Congratulations too, to His Excellency Dr. Jòzsef Benzce, Ambassador of Hungary Embassy to the Philippines for establishing the diplomatic relations between Hungary and Palau.