BRATISLAVA, September 19, (WEBNOVINY) — The new ambassador of Hungary to Slovakia Csaba Balogh held talks with representatives of the non-parliamentary SMK representing interests of ethnic Hungarians here instantly after he handed over his credentials to Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic at the ceremony in the Presidential Palace on Monday. “The SMK is the first party that the Hungarian ambassador visited immediately after having delivered his credentials to the head of state. It is a tradition that Hungary’s ambassadors start their mission with a visit to the SMK. It was the same also four years ago. We are very glad about this, although we are a non-parliamentary party, we have strong European and regional representation. It is crucial support to us and encouragement,” SMK leader Jozsef Berenyi told a news conference.
The ambassador said that he considered it absolutely natural that he paid his first visit in office to the SMK headquarters. “The SMK has been a good partner for years for Hungarian governments. Talks with the SMK have become a tradition to us, it is of core importance to tackle issues of the Hungarian ethnic minority in Slovakia. The Hungarian government is striving for creation of suitable norms also for the Slovak society and nationalities [ethnic minorities — SITA note] living here,” Balogh told journalists. He underscored that in negotiations with Slovak partners Hungary achieved good results many times but there is still a lot of work ahead for the partners. “We welcome all information that the SMK provides us about Slovakia’s internal political situation. This information is exceptionally useful to the Hungarian embassy in Slovakia,” he said.
Ambassador Balogh promised to also meet with representatives of other Slovak political parties. “I will contact representatives of all parliamentary parties. I think that the crucial role of the ambassador is to talk to all political parities. The SMK is exceptional for the Hungarian government as it unambiguously supports rights of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia. Our opinions are not always same as those held by other politicians. This is also the case with MOST-HID. But the fact that we do not always agree does not mean that we will not talk to each other,” he added. The SMK and the ambassador agreed on coordinating celebrations of Hungarian national holidays in southern Slovakia, such as the anniversaries on March 15 and August 20.
Berenyi underscored that rights of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia cannot be considered above-standard, as they do not reach the level in Scandinavian countries. Balogh said that he would be able to consider the situation with the Hungarian community in Slovakia well arranged only if Slovak parliament does not feel an urgent need to deal with the issues of Hungary and Hungarian minority almost at each of its sessions. “The Hungarian community in Slovakia does not have exaggerated demands. I would like that people in Slovakia realize that though they are citizens of Slovakia, they are still Hungarians,” said the ambassador who wishes that ethnic Hungarians here could use their mother tongue without various restrictions and threat of sanctions. He also would like to see Slovakia’s Hungarians freely developing their education in their language, regardless to who is in power. “I would like that the Slovak government realizes that these citizens are loyal citizens of this country though keeping in touch with Hungary. They want nothing else than other people: to be able to live freely and not exposed to political pressures,“ stated the ambassador.
SITA