BUDAPEST, June 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush said here on Thursday that he was proud of the relations between his country and Hungary.

    During a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany, Bush thanked Hungary for its support in Afghanistan and Iraq.

    As a NATO and the European Union member, Hungary has been deemed as a close ally by Washington in its fight against terrorism. Hungary also supported the U.S. in the nuclear issues in Iran and in the Korean Peninsula.

    However, Hungary adopted the same stances with the EU in opposing the U.S. overseas jails and the Guantanamo Bay. It also openly criticized Washington's refusal to ink the Kyoto Protocol.

    Bush arrived in Budapest on Wednesday for an official visit. He departed for Washington Thursday evening. Enditem