First visit by the new Hungarian President Schmitt to Slovenia

Ljubljana, 15.9.2010  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, received the President of the Republic of Hungary, Dr Pál Schmitt, who arrived on a working visit to the Republic of Slovenia. The two Presidents had a one-to-one meeting, followed by plenary talks between the delegation of the Republic of Slovenia and the delegation of the Republic of Hungary, led by the two Presidents. In their talks, the Slovenian and the Hungarian Presidents addressed the bilateral relations, particularly the economic cooperation and the position of national minorities, regional cooperation and issues regarding the future of the European Union.

In the statement for the press, President Dr Danilo Türk emphasised that relations between Slovenia and Hungary are excellent and that there are few open issues between the countries. He said that Slovenia appreciates the gesture of the newly elected Hungarian President, who visited Slovenia as the second among the neighbouring countries. President Dr Pál Schmitt explained that this is evidence of his excellent personal relationship with Slovenia and the solidarity of Hungarian people with Slovenians. He added that he himself was very pleased when President Türk selected Hungary as his first official visit abroad in 2008. He underlined that regular political contacts at all levels are in place between the two countries and marked Slovenia as an exceptionally important and reliable partner to Hungary.

The Slovenian President highlighted that the two countries have exceptionally good economic relations and a high level of commercial trade, which has not been substantially affected by the recession. Despite somewhat reduced scope of trade, it still exceeds 1 billion Euros and, based on the economic growth in both countries, is expected to further improve this year. The Hungarian President also advocated the increase of commercial trade. He informed President Türk on actual economic interests of Hungarian companies looking to invest in Slovenia. The two Presidents also exchanged information on economic and other reforms, which both countries plan under present conditions.

As regards the position of national minorities, President Türk emphasised that Slovenia strives for a comprehensive development of bilingualism in areas inhabited by Hungarian national minority in Slovenia. He reminded of the fact that these areas have half a century of tradition in bilingualism and expressed the wish that the development of the position of Slovenian national minority in Porabje would progress. The two Presidents also discussed certain practical issues, on which they both agreed that they require resolving. President Schmitt ensured that the unresolved issues of Slovenian minority in Hungary are not the consequence of discrimination or indifference and promised that they will be addressed.

The two Presidents also discussed the priorities of the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2011. The Hungarian President assessed the Slovenian Presidency in the first half of 2008 as successful and emphasised that Slovenia proved that a small country is just as able to manage European issues. Slovenian President said that Presidencies of newer Member States are very good for the European Union, as they bring along dynamism which the Union requires. Despite engagement with institutional issues introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, it is important in his view that the European Union develops dynamically and that it marks a progress also in relation to its environment. He expressed his belief that the Hungarian Presidency will contribute to the above.