US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Emphasizes National Interest, Ties with Hungary

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday said that every country must prioritise its own national interest while speaking at a press briefing in Budapest, Hungary. “So everybody can be very clear, I’ve made this point repeatedly, I’ll make it again. Under President Trump, it is our expectation that every nation on Earth is going to act in their national interest. That’s what nations are supposed to do," Rubio said. He pointed Hungary as an example, saying that if the Prime Minister does not act in the national interest, “who’s going to act in the national interest of Hungary if their Prime Minister doesn’t do it?" Rubio added that the same principle applies to the United States. He said aligned national interests between countries create opportunities for “extraordinary partnerships" while differences require dialogue and accommodation. ALSO READ: ‘Not Asking Europe To Be A Vassal’: Marco Rubio Says US Seeks Partnership, Not Dominance Rubio stressed that the US does not expect any country to isolate itself from others. “We understand that every country in the world has to deal with the reality of their geography, of their economy, of their history, and of the challenges of their future," he said. Speaking at a joint news conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Rubio called US-Hungary ties as entering a “golden era" but appeared to link this to the continuation of Orban’s leadership. “President Trump is deeply committed to your success, because your success is our success. We want this country to do well. It’s in our national interest, especially as long as you’re the prime minister and the leader of this country," Rubio said. Rubio’s visit marks the final stage of a whirlwind European trip, which also included an address at the Munich Security Conference and a visit to Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. Both Hungary and Slovakia are led by conservative governments with strong ties to Trump and critical views of the European Union. (With inputs from agencies)