Austrian politicians, Hungarian minister mark 1956 anniversary of Soviet reprisal

Andau, Austria (MTI) – Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern and Hungarian Human Resources Minister Zoltán Balog jointly commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Soviet reprisal of Hungary’s uprising in 1956, in the Austrian border town of Andau (Mosontarcsa) on Friday, marking Hungary’s national day of mourning.

It was on November 4, 1956 that the Soviet military launched an invasion to quell the revolution, triggering armed resistance by freedom fighters.

“It is important for Hungary to have good allies, and building an alliance starts at the neighbours,” Balog told MTI.

The minister expressed thanks to Austria and the Austrian people for taking in “Hungarians seeking freedom” and helping Hungarian refugees begin a new life. Balog also thanked Austria for the possibility of holding a joint commemoration.

Balog said that migration poses a danger to Europe as a whole, and stressed the need to guarantee security and protect law and order in the European countries. As an expression of solidarity, however, the European nations should make everything in their power so that the migrants should live in peace and security in their countries of origin, he said.