Official state visit to Bulgaria
Hungarian-Bulgarian friendship has stable foundations, and today, perseverance, which has always defined us, is particularly important, said President Tamás Sulyok at a ceremony held in Smolyan on Hungarian-Bulgarian Friendship Day.
The Hungarian Head of State, who was on an official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria, emphasised that, as their national independence had been infringed upon many times throughout history, both Hungarians and Bulgarians remain committed to their sovereignty. He added that we share similar views on European issues, the challenges facing nations and families, demographic difficulties, peace and security, and on cooperation based on respect.
President Sulyok recalled that "those who have gone through similar vicissitudes are more familiar with each other's motivations and are better able to bond with each other".
Today, we are integral and inseparable parts of the European Union community and NATO, and we are allies in political, economic and military terms," emphasised the Hungarian Head of State.
"We share the friendship of two ancient, Christian and European nations," the President emphasised, adding that we are nations that have been battered by the storms of history, yet have remained strong, preserving our cultures, our unique characteristics, our faith and our values.
President Sulyok emphasised that Bulgarians in Hungary occupy a respected place in Hungarian society, that Hungary is committed to supporting their minority organisations and the preservation of their culture and language, and that Hungary ensures that its Bulgarian minority is represented in the Hungarian Parliament by their own minority spokesperson.
At the ceremony, Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, drew attention to the similar histories of the Hungarian and Bulgarian nations and the importance of economic, cultural and human relations between the two peoples.
Prior to the ceremony, the two Heads of State visited Bulgaria's second largest monastery in Bachkovo.
The day after the visit, the two Heads of State reviewed the most important areas of partnership between Bulgaria and Hungary in Sofia. In their press statements following the meeting, the Presidents stated that the alliance between their countries is strengthened not only by close political ties, but also by continuously expanding economic, cultural and tourism cooperation.