Kosovo or not? Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok’s post sparks outrage!
At midnight on 31 December 2024, Romania and Bulgaria formally joined the Schengen Area, marking a significant milestone in the history of the European Union. The event held particular importance for Hungary, as the removal of regular border controls with neighbouring Romania opened up new opportunities for free movement and cross-border cooperation.
While the political and economic implications dominated public discussions, an unexpected diplomatic complication arose due to a map error in a Facebook post by Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok.
Opening ceremonies and diplomatic importance
Following the enlargement at the end of the year, ceremonies were held to celebrate the opening of border crossings between Hungary and Romania. Lieutenant General of Police János Balogh and Chief Inspector Cornel-Laurian Stoica symbolically affirmed the cooperation between the two countries. According to Telex, Hungarian State Secretary Levente Magyar emphasised at several events that the border opening was not just a logistical achievement but also a cultural and social bridge between Hungary and Romania.
The free movement enabled by the Schengen Area was also seen as a revival of historical ties between Hungary and Transylvania. In his speech, Levente Magyar stated that the enlargement was not only a source of national pride but also the beginning of a new era of shared development.
Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok’s facebook post
The celebrations were overshadowed by an embarrassing mistake. In an official Facebook post, Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok welcomed Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area, highlighting the importance of solidarity and shared progress.
However, the accompanying map in the post mistakenly depicted Kosovo as part of Serbia, leading to a diplomatic controversy. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Hungary recognised the same year, making the error particularly sensitive. The issue was especially fraught given the historical context of war in the region.
The slogan “Together without borders” became especially problematic as the erroneous map disregarded Kosovo’s independence. This was a significant oversight, as the war between Kosovo and Serbia from 1998 to 1999 claimed over 13,000 lives, the majority of whom were Kosovo Albanians. Such mistakes not only breach diplomatic protocol but can also reopen deep historical wounds.
The error was published on 444.hu, which drew attention to the issue. The newspaper contacted the Alexander Palace, the Hungarian President’s official residence, to inquire how such an oversight had occurred. According to Telex, the Office of the President issued a brief statement: “We have corrected the stylised map.” However, the response was criticised for being defensive rather than contrite, as it offered no public apology or detailed explanation.
The incident involving Tamás Sulyok demonstrates how even seemingly minor errors in digital communication can have significant consequences. A misrepresentation of a country on a map can deeply offend sensitivities, particularly when the region in question has a history of conflict.
Read also: