On September 2, 2023, the Presidency of the Hungarian Atlantic Council established the Antall József Award. This recognition is awarded annually to individuals or organizations, both domestic and foreign, who have demonstrated outstanding performance in supporting the work of the Hungarian Atlantic Council (HAC).
The foreign awardee of the 2023 Antall József Award is Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of NATO, who has effectively coordinated the operations of the defense organization since 2014, indirectly contributing to the justification and success of the Hungarian Atlantic Council’s work.
The award was presented on January 12, 2024, in Brussels by István Gyarmati, the Secretary-General of HAC, on behalf of György Csóti, the President of HAC, to Marie-Doha Besancenot, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, who received the recognition on behalf of the Secretary General.
Alongside the support of the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Institute for American Studies, NATO Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) was the main sponsor of Youth Atlantic Treaty Association of Hungary & YATA International’s successful NATO Academy event organized last October in Budapest. Under the leadership of Selin Yılmaz, YATA International continues to play a significant role within the Atlantic Treaty Association, with Hungarian participation being and remaining crucial. Presently, our members, Lilla Doucha serves as the Vice President of YATA International, and Felix A. Debrenti, the organization’s former Vice President, contributed to its activities in the past.
In a video message, the Secretary General expressed gratitude for the honor and wished the Hungarian Atlantic Council continued success.
