Hungarian government: Hungarians can only rely on themselves
“The lesson Hungarians can draw from history is that they can rely solely on themselves,” Levente Magyar, state secretary at the foreign ministry, said at the inauguration of a monument dedicated to an 18th century British diplomat in Sárospatak, in north-eastern Hungary, on Thursday, adding that Hungary must “shape its foreign policy in that light and find friends in the world.”
According to a foreign ministry statement, the state secretary spoke at the inauguration of the monument to George Stepney and highlighted the former ambassador’s role as a mediator during Rákoczi’s freedom fight against Habsburg rule.
Magyar said the war of independence of Ferenc Rákóczi II had been doomed to failure due to the unfavourable international climate. “Hungarians were a people with no cultural kin and no stable political allies internationally, and got accustomed to having to fight their wars alone,” Magyar said, adding, however, that “those who supported our endeavours … could always count on Hungary’s appreciation and esteem.”
British ambassador to Hungary Paul Fox said Stepney had had a strong faith in dialogue and mediation, adding that his monument would be a symbol of the strong ties between Hungary and his country.
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