Katalin Novák at the Paris Peace Forum

The President of Hungary arrived at the Paris International peace Forum at the invitation of President of France Emmanuel Macron.

Speaking at the International peace Forum, the President of Hungary stressed that it is necessary to work together to bring down the obstacles on the path to peace. Katalin Novák summarised the factors working against peace in ten points. She underlined that peace is all the more difficult to achieve the longer the conflict has been going on, and that prolonged fighting causes increasing destruction and suffering and leads to the escalation of war.

She expressed her opinion that there is an absence of genuine will to achieve a ceasefire and to begin peace talks. There is not enough will to mediate between the parties. Disinformation, propaganda and provocation hinder understanding and exacerbate the situation. Katalin Novák underlined that we are confronted with nuclear threat not seen since the Cold War, and also called the threat to cut off energy and food supplies unfair. 

The President of Hungary thinks there is no common strategic thinking. She called attention to provocations and atrocities committed against national minorities. Katalin Novák stressed that the war impacts Hungary directly, as 150 thousand Hungarians live in Transcarpathia.
"We must do everything for the sake of the next generation to close this conflict and restore peace " – the Hungarian Head of State said. 

In response to the question of what a just peace would mean, Katalin Novák recalled that more than 100 years ago, a peace treaty was concluded with Hungary that was not just, as Hungary lost two thirds of its territory. She added that it is difficult to determine what a just peace is, and this is why it is necessary, and even indispensable, to take every aspect into consideration.

After the meeting, Katalin Novák, together with the Presidents of the Peace Forum, attended the gala dinner hosted by Emmanuel Macron, President of the republic of France, at the Elysée Palace in Paris. Katalin Novák also met Gérard Larchet, President of the French Senate, in Paris. In a joint statement with President Larchet, they stressed the need for "a strong and successful Europe." The bilateral meeting offered an opportunity to review topical aspects of the relations between the European Union, France and Hungary as well as the repercussions of the war against Ukraine. President of Hungary Katalin Novák expressed hope that Hungary and France will further deepen their relations in the coming period, thus strengthening European togetherness.

The Hungarian Head of State gave a speech in a relaxed atmosphere on demographic challenges and family policy in Hungary to students at the Institut de Philosophie Comparée. The President explained that Hungary has had a very strong family policy for 10-12 years, and that the government is searching for a solution to make sure that every desired child could be born.
Katalin Novák pointed out that Hungary uses 6.2 percent of its GDP for family support, which is an investment into the future. They also try to help parents not to have to choose between a career and starting a family, she said. 

When in Paris, Katalin Novák also met with Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of France, President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia, Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO, President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili, President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis as well as President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski.