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Speeches
Katalin Novák's speech at the UN Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction
Europe seemed to be a calm, peaceful continent in the last 70 years.
What do we see now? Pandemics, catastrophes, floods, fires and a brutal war in Ukraine. Our European world is not the same as we thought it would be by now.
On top of it, we suffer from the sad picture of empty cradles, and we’re facing a serious demographic crisis in our Western world.
Mr. President! Ladies and Gentlemen!
Speech by Katalin Novák at the Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavík
Presidents, Prime Ministers, Secretary General, Colleagues,
At first, thank you. Thank you to the hosts, the government and the people of Iceland for welcoming here. I think we normally don't sleep much so we very much appreciate and take advantage of this short night. So thank you for your hospitality and also thank you, the Council of Europe for putting together this leading and this very deciding moment. The setting could not be better for such an important meeting that takes place almost two decades after the summit in Poland.
Address by Katalin Novák at the welcome ceremony for Pope Francis
Santo Padre,
¡Dios nos ha traído a Usted, el Hombre de la Paz, a Hungría!
¡Bienvenido! En húngaro se dice: "Isten hozta" y literalmente significa: Dios nos ha traído a Usted para estar con nosotros.
Most Holy Father!
Most Holy Father, Man of Peace!
A warm welcome to Hungary!
Releases
Address by President of Hungary Katalin Novák on Hungarian Defence Day
This year, the Hungarian Defence Forces celebrate their 175th anniversary. On Hungarian Defence Day, as Commander-in-Chief, I salute our forces and our servicemen!
Archaeological excavations and resurfacing works in Szent György Square
Commissioned by the Castle Captaincy, archaeological excavations and landscaping works will begin in the green areas in front of Sándor Palace, and are expected to last until the end of the summer.
Pedestrians will be able to use a detoured route and as well as continue to use the designated pedestrian routes from Dísz Square to the upper station of the Buda Castle Cable Car and Hunyadi Courtyard. Free, comfortable and barrier-free access to the level of Sándor Palace is also provided by the fast lifts located in Palota street.
Ordering the promulgation of a law
Last week, the Parliament adopted, without dissenting votes, the law amending certain laws on justice related to the Hungarian Recovery and Resilience Plan.
I have some reservations about the law, but at this stage I do not want to put obstacles in the way of the Government's agreement with the European Commission.
I have therefore ordered its promulgation today.
Events
Open days at Sándor Palace
A year ago, at my inauguration, I promised to „open doors” for Hungary in the international arena, as well as at home, between Hungarians.
This is also why on the anniversary, Sándor Palace welcomed those interested with open gates. Thus, thousands have seen the palace this year as well.
I thank all those who came to visit, young and old, residents of the countryside and the capital, supporters of the opposition or the government, people from all walks of life.
This day proved again that Sándor Palace is open to all.
My presidency is about the Hungarian people
My presidency is about the Hungarian people, and I would like them to feel that I am working as the President of all Hungarians. My next four years will also be about them. - said President of Hungary Katalin Novák on the occasion of the first anniversary of her inauguration at Sándor Palace in Budapest on Wednesday.
Diplomacy power house at Sándor Palace
President of Hungary Katalin Novák received the credentials of Dr. Haitham Saleh Elayyan Abu Alfoul, Jordan’s new ambassador to Budapest.
The Head of State also appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Antal Heizer to head Hungary's Embassy in Kiev, Dr György Urkuti to head Hungary's Embassy in Riga, and Mrs Szilágyi née Edit Bátorfi to head the Embassy in Vienna.
Interviews
The future belongs to the Man of Peace – Interview with President of Hungary Katalin Novák in the Catholic Weekly Új Ember (New Man)
Pope Francis, accepting the invitation of state and church authorities, will pay an apostolic visit to Hungary from 28 April to 30 April. On this occasion, we visited President of Hungary Katalin Novák in her office, asking her about family, faith, education, the protection of Divine Creation, and the upcoming visit of the Holy Father.
Interview with Katalin Novák in the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera
Almost a year has gone since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Hungary is against sanctions on Russia and sending military aid to Kiev, but it does not veto EU decisions. What are Hungary’s goals and what does Budapest propose?
Previous News
Katalin Novák appointed Csaba Lantos as Minister for Energy
On the proposal by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, President of Hungary Katalin Novák appointed Csaba Lantos as Minister for Energy on Wednesday. The government decided to set up an independent Ministry for Energy in November. The new ministry is in charge of the integrated control of Hungary’s energy policy.
Katalin Novák in Ukraine – Kiev – Beregszász – Csepe
The President of Hungary received an invitation from President of Ukraine Volodymir Zelensky to participate in the Grain from Ukraine initiative.
The President’s tour of Hungary continued in Komárom-Esztergom county
President of Hungary Katalin Novák continued her tour of the county in Komárom-Esztergom county.
She first travelled to the City of Kings, i.e. Esztergom, where she visited the Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Adalbert, more commonly known as the Basilica of Esztergom, which has been under complete renovation since 2019. Afterwards, she lit a candle at the tomb of Cardinal and Prince Primate József Mindszenty, who was born 130 years ago.
Administrative recess at Sándor Palace
Please be informed that between 22 December 2022 and 6 January 2023, Sándor Palace will be on administrative recess pursuant to Government Decree 460/2022 (XI.10.) on the emergency rules applicable to administrative recesses in special status bodies.
During this period, please send your requests, letters or questions to the email address kapcsolat@sandorpalota.hu.
Sándor Palace
On official working visit to Israel – Jerusalem – Tel-Aviv
Katalin Novák paid an official working visit in the Middle Eastern country, invited by President of Israel Isaac Herzog. In addition to Israel’s Head of State, President Novák met with outgoing Premier Yair Lapid and Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, and held consultations with the leaders of local Christian communities.
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.
Joint press statement of Gérard Larcher and Katalin Novák
On November 11, President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher received Katalin Novák, President of Hungary.
The meeting offered an opportunity to discuss current issues concerning relations between the European Union, France and Hungary, as well as to review the impacts of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and of the war.
President of Hungary Katalin Novák expressed hope that in the coming period Hungary and France will continue to deepen relations between the two countries on the basis of pragmatism and strengthen European coherence along these convergences.
Speech delivered by Katalin Novák on Hungarian Science Day
Dear Mr. President! Ladies and Gentlemen!
For years, around 3 November, the intellectual backbone of our country has gathered to discuss its scientific discoveries, research and the fruits of its labour in various fields of study. The event is a showcase of Hungarian science and of our successes.
Visit to the Hungarian diaspora in Ontario – Toronto
Hungarians are loved and appreciated in the province of Ontario, and the Hungarian community here can count on Hungary as much as on Canada, said President Katalin Novák in Toronto, where she attended the closing gala event of Hungarian Heritage Month.
Heads of state meeting in Vienna - Austria
Katalin Novák paid an official visit to re-elected President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna. During a private meeting, the two Heads of State discussed the war in Ukraine, the situation of Hungarians in Transcarpathia, the need for energy independence, the issue of immigration and migration, and the importance of continuing the EU enlargement process to include the Western Balkans.