Hungarian President talks war in Israel, Ukraine with Romanian counterpart

President Katalin Novák and Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday discussed the wars in Ukraine and Israel, as well as Romania’s Schengen accession process.

Other topics on the meeting’s agenda in Sándor Palace in Budapest included national minorities, Hungary’s 2024 EU presidency, and economic, energy and transport ties, Novák told a press conference afterwards.

“The situation of national minorities is important to both of us, and to us, Hungarians, the fate, present and future of the Hungarian community in Transylvania is especially important…” Novák said.

The last time a Romanian head of state paid an official visit to Hungary was 14 years ago, she noted. “So today’s meeting is of historic significance,” she added.

The president said the aim was to pursue pragmatic Hungary-Romania relations worthy of important neighbouring countries.

Hungary and Romania have both made their stances on the war in Ukraine clear, noting that they condemned Russia’s aggression against its neighbour and strived to aid Ukraine in its defence. Hungary provides all the necessary humanitarian aid to those fleeing Ukraine, she noted.

Ukraine is home to a significant number of both Hungarian and Romanian national minorities, Novák said, adding that they were counting on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s cooperation in remedying the violations against minority rights and in doing everything possible to enforce those rights.

Concerning the war in Israel, Novák said Hungary has expressed its sympathies and support to Israel “in this tragic situation”. The president added that she will attend a worship service organised by the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities (MAZSIHISZ) and Budapest’s Jewish Community.

Novák said she and Iohannis were in agreement that support for the local Hungarian community contributes to Romania’s development, and that the easing of tensions was therefore a shared interest.