Bilateral meeting in Slovakia - Bratislava

Katalin Novák met with Slovak President Zuzana Caputová in Bratislava. During the first official meeting between the two heads of state, they discussed bilateral relations, illegal migration, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis in Europe and issues concerning Hungarians living in Slovakia. 

Zuzana Caputová described the meeting as open, frank and constructive, where, she said, shared and divergent views were equally discussed, and concluded that it was very important to maintain a dialogue on these issues. 

On the Russian-Ukrainian war, both heads of state agreed that Russia is the aggressor and that the war should be brought to an end as soon as possible.  "Our position has been firm from the very first moment: we condemn Russia's aggression, its attack on Ukraine, and we stand up for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty," said Katalin Novák. She stressed that Hungary and Slovakia have played and continue to play a key role in sheltering refugees from Ukraine. 

Katalin Novák added, however, that they did not see eye to eye on the EU's actions against Russia. "Hungary can only accept sanctions that are more painful for the aggressor than for the Hungarian or European people. We must open-mindedly examine whether the sanctions imposed so far have fulfilled their function," the Hungarian head of state said.
Katalin Novák said that they both agreed that the Visegrád cooperation is very much needed, as the V4 provides an opportunity to assert Central European interests as strongly as possible within the European Union.

In response to a journalist's question about the latest amendment to the law on Slovak citizenship, which does not affect in merit the situation of Hungarians in the “Felvidék” (Slovakia), Zuzana Čaputová said that she does not feel that the issue has been resolved. In this context, Katalin Novák asked Zuzana Čaputová to do her utmost to ensure that Hungarians in Slovakia can also become dual citizens. At the meeting, the Hungarian head of state urged Slovakia to be Hungary’s partner in ensuring that Hungary receives the EU funds to which it is rightfully entitled to as soon as possible.

In Pozsony (Bratislava), Katalin Novák also met with Krisztián Forró, President of the Association of Hungarian Political Forces in the “Felvidék” (Slovakia). As the municipal and county elections are approaching, it is key for Hungarians to unite, as this is the way to achieve good results, the Hungarian head of state stressed.

At the end of the visit, the President of Hungary attended the Year-Opening Ceremony of the College for Advanced Hungarian Studies in Pozsony (Bratislava). According to the Hungarian head of state, the College not only helps Hungarian students to become the best in their chosen profession, but also teaches them that being Hungarian is a value and that by working together, a little can become a lot.