Hungarian President talked about Europe’s defence in Brussels

Hungarians have often been “spared misfortune” by the “valour” of sovereignty, President Tamás Sulyok said in Brussels on Monday.

In a speech at the Liszt Institute, marking the start of Hungary’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, Sulyok said Brussels was a place to “learn the art of compromise”. He said that like Belgians, Europeans often had trouble understanding each other.

“But in the end we must always strive for compromise, because without it no people or nation is viable,” the president said.

He said Hungarians were not confined to Hungary, noting the times throughout history when they were forced to leave their homeland. “But as Hungarians, we can live anywhere, that is, we find our people everywhere and form close bonds and tight-knit communities with our compatriots,” he added.

Photo: MTI

President Sulyok: let’s not forget the way home

Sulyok said there were Hungarians living all over the world and their talent was also world-renowned.

Noting the accomplishments of 2023 Nobel Laureates Katalin Karikó and Ferenc Krausz, Sulyok said that though they had left Hungary to pursue their academic careers, they had never forgotten their home country and had preserved their Hungarian identity.

“They are wonderful examples of how one can find the way to one’s personal success abroad without forgetting the way home,” Sulyok said, adding that this also meant returning home in the intellectual and spiritual sense.

Hungary intent on strengthening Europe

Hungary is intent on strengthening Europe and its communities as well as conserving peace in the bloc, President Tamas Sulyok said in Brussels.
Giving a speech late on Monday on the occasion of the opening of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union, Sulyok noted that Hungary held the rotating presidency “successfully” 13 years ago.

Hungary, he said, was committed to defending Europe’s interests and the rights and obligations stipulated in the founding treaties, as well as overcoming the challenges it faces, adding that Hungary would do so responsibly and serve the citizens of Europe.

He said the union was “Europe’s hope and promise” after the tragic events of the 20th century, and described the EU as a “remarkable and unique economic and political union; less than a state but more than a simple federation”, based on “our common Christian culture and values” and the equality and sovereignty of its member states.

Its strength lay, he said, in the diversity of its nations and the values and characteristics of its member states. The “common European will”, he added, derived from the “separate will of its members” and values deeply rooted in the singularities and constitutions of member states. He said unity did not equate with uniformity and common action was not an automatic given.

“Differences of opinion and debates help us understand each other to better find solutions to common challenges,” the president said, adding that it was desirable for member states to seek mutual respect and for all opinions to be considered, as the EU would never have been created had it not been established on the basis of mutual understanding.

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