Hungarian president discusses bilateral ties, 1956 with New Zealand prime minister – UPDATE

Wellington, November 14 (MTI) – Hungarian President János Áder discussed the possibilities of economic cooperation, including thermal water projects, with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in Wellington on Monday.

Speaking to journalists, Áder pinpointed economic cooperation opportunities in farming and irrigation technologies as shortage of water poses a major challenge to both countries.

Ader noted further cooperation possibilities in utilising the huge thermal and medicinal water reserves of New Zealand and Hungary.

The president said he asked New Zealand to share its experience in the utilisation of geothermal energy.

Áder identified further cooperation opportunities in IT including startups, as well as in student exchange.

Discussing Hungary’s anti-Soviet uprising and freedom fight 60 years ago, Áder expressed thanks to New Zealand for granting safe haven to over 1,000 Hungarian refugees. He expressed special thanks over the efforts of Sir Leslie Munro, New Zealand’s permanent representative to the UN at the time, towards keeping the issue of Soviet retaliation on the United Nations’ agenda.

“Had Munro not been this consistent and insistent, there would have been many more Hungarian victim,” he said.

During the meeting, Áder expressed condolences to the families of the victims over the recent earthquake.

UPDATE

Áder commemorates 1956 in New Zealand

President János Áder marked the anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 revolution at a meeting with expatriate Hungarians in Auckland on Monday.

“Freedom is the greatest thing without which everything else is rendered worthless,” the President’s Office quoted Áder as saying in a statement sent to MTI.

Áder noted that over 1,000 Hungarians who fled Hungary after the anti-Soviet revolt was stifled had found a new home in New Zealand. The local organisation of the Red Cross invited donations for the Hungarian refugees, the first person to contribute being New Zealand’s prime minister, Áder added.

“The Hungarians have proven worthy of their hosts’ trust … They studied, they worked, and in their own way they contributed to this wonderful country,” the president said.

Áder is on an official visit to the region.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI