Meeting of the Heads of State of Slovakia and Hungary – Various potential improvements to strengthen the strategic partnership were reviewed

The President of Hungary, Dr. Tamás Sulyok, received Slovak President Peter Pellegrini with military honours at Kossuth Square.

Slovakia is a partner of key importance for our country, both regionally and in the European Union, the President of Hungary said. 

Bilateral dialogue should not only be maintained, but must also strengthened in order for Hungary and Slovakia to serve their national interests and the interests of the strategic partnership between the two countries even better at regional and European level, President of Hungary Tamás Sulyok said at a joint press conference with Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini on Thursday.

The Hungarian Head of State added that several priority areas were also reviewed at the meeting, aiming to strengthen the partnership between the two countries.

As Hungary is currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the President of Hungary asked for Peter Pellegrini's support. The goal is to help Hungary act as an honest broker, so that the country can contribute during its Presidency to halting illegal migration and strengthening European defence policy, as well as to promote a farmer-centred EU agricultural policy and find effective solutions to demographic challenges.

According to Dr. Tamás Sulyok, the two countries share the same position on enlargement, namely that the accession process of the Western Balkan countries to the EU should be accelerated.

The Hungarian Head of State indicated to Peter Pellegrini that while the European Union is a larger alliance and at the same time an adaptive system, it is worthwhile to maintain and operate smaller local units based on genuinely good dialogue and cooperation.

Dr. Tamás Sulyok stressed that he is in favour of the Visegrad initiative and hopes that at the winter meeting in Poland, the community can become an even stronger European driving force. 

Slovakia will not join any attempt or activity aimed at boycotting the Hungarian presidency- Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said at a joint press conference, adding that representatives of the Slovak government will participate and support all Hungarian activities. "I do not think that individuals should be punished for wishing to initiate a dialogue" - President Pellegrini stressed.

As the Commander-in-Chief of the Hungarian Defence Forces, Hungary’s Head of State indicated that the ongoing developments of the Hungarian armed forces could further enhance the joint performance of air policing tasks. The President stressed that he had also signalled to his Slovak counterpart in private Hungary's opposition to any form of aggression.

"Human dignity is inviolable, it must be respected, upheld and protected", the Hungarian President stressed, underlining that human legal capacity is a fundamental natural right of every human being, which means freedom, peace and the self-determination of individuals.

According to Dr. Tamás Sulyok, it is profoundly objectionable when aggressors act against peace by military force or in other places by acts of terrorism, or even attempt or carry out assassinations against individuals. 

"I always empathise with those suffering from unrest and conflicts, and wish to express my hope that the number and severity of such incidents will decrease and eventually cease as soon as possible". - said Dr Tamás Sulyok.

At the meeting of the Heads of State, the parties also discussed the situation of national minorities, and agreed that it is in the interest of both parties to support coexistence, which the Hungarian President hopes President Pellegrini’s Hungarian advisor in Slovakia will be able to facilitate further.

According to Dr. Tamás Sulyok, Hungary is making every effort to provide significant support to the Slovak community in Hungary, while caring for Hungarians around the world is a priority for us.

The Hungarian Head of State also said that in Slovakia, we are interested in the undisturbed operation of the Rovás Civic Association in Kassa (Košice), as well as in the development of cross-border rail connections.