Opening to the East policy also tribute to Hungary’s roots in Asia, says Lezsak

(MTI) – The government’s opening to the East policy involves more than strengthening economic links in distant regions and also demonstrates that Hungary does not forget its Asian roots, deputy parliamentary speaker Sandor Lezsak said on Wednesday.

Lezsak congratulated the participants of an expedition that involved Hungarian extreme athlete Pal Hidvegi-Ustos, accompanied by scientists and researchers, covering a 12,000-kilometre route between Hungary and Central Asia between May 11 and October 11 this year.

Starting off from Budapest on May 11, the Day of Explorers, the expedition crossed Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine and Romania.

Lezsak, who was chief patron of the expedition, said the government was determined to extend its policy of opening to the East in the field of culture. He quoted as examples the translation of Janos Arany’s renowned poem The Legend of the Miraculous Hind into Uzbek and a scheme dubbed We Speak Seven Languages.

Hidvegi-Ustos said the 13-country expedition paid tribute to five renowned Hungarians who were Asia and Caucasus researchers: Gyorgy Almasy, Gyula Prinz, Armin Vambery, Mor Dechy and Jeno Zichy.

The patrons of the expedition also included State Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office Peter Szijjarto and State Secretary of Sports and Youth Istvan Simicsko.

Photo: kurultaj.hu

Source: http://hungarymatters.hu/