Tamás Sulyok: National sovereignity is equally important for both Switzerland and Hungary
Tamás Sulyok emphasized on Friday, during a press conference held in Budapest with Viola Amherd, President of the Swiss Confederation, that national sovereignty is equally important for both Switzerland and Hungary, and both see it as a fundamental issue.
The President stated that during the meeting, they agreed on four thematic priorities, including the establishment of sustainable peace, the protection of civilian populations, enhancing the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and addressing climate security.
The Hungarian community living in Switzerland serves as an important connecting link in strengthening relations. Through actively preserving their own identity, they enrich the majority society - pointed out Tamás Sulyok.
He reminded us that after 13 years, we welcome the President of the Swiss Confederation again in Budapest on an official visit.
Tamás Sulyok stressed that they agreed with the President of the Swiss Confederation that they consider each other important political and economic partners, and in many European issues, they are allies. Preserving friendly relations and strengthening good relations are common goals - he emphasized.
Switzerland, always a neutral state and surrounded by the European Union, is one from which much can be learned - noted Tamás Sulyok, adding that we have great expectations and hopes for Switzerland's first non-permanent membership in the UNSC.
Talking about economic relations, the President of Hungary noted a strengthening trend visible in both trade and investments. In recent years, Swiss companies have become one of the most active investor groups in Hungary, and the Swiss companies operating here have been continually expanding their activities – he pointed out.
Regarding education, particularly in the fields of research and innovation, there is outstanding inter-institutional cooperation between the two countries – the President of Hungary emphasized, adding that: ”we highly appreciate the Swiss support to the German-language Andrássy Gyula Budapest University.”
Both Hungary and Switzerland give priority to research, development, innovation and technical training and education, and the Swiss-based European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, has set up its data centre at the Wigner Research Centre for Physics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, he said.
The President described peace policy as an important point of connection with Switzerland. He stressed that he was shocked by the weekend attack on Israel, and that Hungary is concerned about the situation in the Middle East, which carries the risk of escalation. He stressed that they agreed that ending the Russian-Ukrainian war is equally important for all actors in world politics.
Switzerland – as a neutral country – is organising a two-day international conference for the middle of June, to find the way to bring the war in Ukraine to an end – the Head of State recalled.
In response to a journalist's question, the President said that Hungary is looking forward to the Swiss peace summit with expectations, and is confident that a real, substantive agreement can be reached, which will bring about a real ceasefire. He stressed that Hungary sees a just and sustainable peace as being in its best interest.
Hungary joined the European community of its own free will, where it had belonged for over a thousand years and where it also wishes to belong – said Tamás Sulyok, adding: the question is what kind of Europe we, an independent and sovereign state, would like to see. However, this depends not only on Hungary, but on the other European states as well. Hungary will always stand for the protection of its own identity – the President stressed.
(MTI)