Forward-looking and substantive talks – Head of State visits Slovakia

During his official visit to Pozsony, President Tamás Sulyok met with Slovak Head of State Peter Pellegrini, Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Richard Raši, and Prime Minister Robert Fico.

In his press statement following the meeting with the Slovak Head of State, President Tamás Sulyok emphasised that our common goal is to continuously give substance to a good-neighbourly relationship based on mutual trust, even in the face of the challenges of the 21st century.

The Hungarian Head of State added that the meeting focused on bilateral relations and regional cooperation. They reviewed the development of defence relations, with particular regard to the planning processes and allied exercises taking place within NATO, and they consider Hungary’s contribution to the protection of Slovak airspace to be an important element of security policy.

Tamás Sulyok emphasised that relations between the two countries are developing with unprecedented intensity and on the basis of mutual trust, as evidenced by the lively bilateral political dialogue and concrete results, such as the development of border infrastructure.

The President of Hungary recalled that during the Hungarian V4 Presidency, which began on 1 July, they intend to place particular emphasis on developing regional relations under the motto "Competitive Visegrad". He also expressed his hope that they would be able to give new momentum to and deepen the strategic importance of the Visegrad Cooperation at the Heads of State Summit to be held during the current presidency.

Tamás Sulyok said that during the meeting with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini they emphasised that the unity of Europe is inconceivable without the Western Balkans, which is why they support accelerating the region's integration into the European Union.  Security on the continent is a priority issue for all nations, which is why both countries stand for peace and urge an end to the war in Ukraine, he added.

The President emphasised that affordable and secure energy supplies are important for both Hungary and Slovakia. Nuclear energy, increased use of renewable sources and the expansion of infrastructure connections can upgrade the region's energy security.

Regarding migration, he believes it is important to protect external borders and promote stability in the countries of origin. Migration must be halted, not encouraged, emphasised Tamás Sulyok, adding that in this matter, the V4 countries must speak with a united voice.

The fate of the Hungarian community in Slovakia, the preservation of their culture, Hungarian mother tongue and educational institutions are of paramount importance to Hungary, Tamás Sulyok pointed out. The President of Hungary emphasised that just as we consider the culture and language of the Slovak community living in our country to be a value worth preserving, so too we consider the culture and identity of the nearly half a million Hungarian-speaking citizens living in Slovakia to be a value that belongs among Europe's fundamental treasures.

Following the meeting between the Heads of State, Tamás Sulyok was received by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Richard Raši, Speaker of the National Council.

The President of Hungary paid his respects at the Gate of Freedom Memorial near Dévény Castle, which commemorates those who were murdered while fleeing the communist dictatorship.

Tamás Sulyok also met with representatives of the Hungarian communities in the Felvidék and visited the headquarters of Magyar Szövetség, or Hungarian Alliance, the Hungarian party in Slovakia, where, with László Gubík, he discussed the future of the Hungarian community in the Felvidék and the Hungarian Alliance's plans for promoting its political interests.