Debrecen4U January 21, 2026

UK Ambassador to Hungary makes his first visit outside Budapest to Debrecen

Justin McKenzie Smith, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Budapest, visited Debrecen on January 20, where he was welcomed by Mayor László Papp at the Old City Hall. The British diplomat, who has more than thirty years of experience in foreign service, took over the leadership of the British Embassy in Budapest from Paul Fox in October 2025, and since his appointment this marked his first official visit outside the capital. In this context, he stated that there was no question that his first trip would lead to Debrecen.

“Because of the city’s historical, cultural, and economic significance, as well as its past and present ties with the United Kingdom, it was clear to me that I should make my first official visit outside Budapest to Debrecen,” he said.

According to the head of the United Kingdom’s diplomatic mission, Debrecen has by now become one of the driving forces of the Hungarian economy. He emphasized that, just as in the United Kingdom, Hungary also has a strong international presence, and cooperation between cultures yields tangible results in the city.

“I began my visit at the Debrecen office of British Telecom, one of the world’s best-known and most stably operating British companies. Here, Hungary’s most talented young graduates work together with professionals from many parts of the world, making the center extremely modern and successful,” he added.

Mayor László Papp gave the British Ambassador a tour of the renovated City Hall building, after which the parties held discussions on current issues and opportunities for cooperation.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Papp László (Facebook)