OPR- Thursday, 31st May, 2007

Your Excellency,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I am pleased to welcome Your Excellency to Malta.   

The fact that this is not the first visit of a Hungarian Head of State to Malta is a clear sign of the excellent relations between our two countries.  However it is the first time that on a State Visit the Heads of State of our two countries speak to each other as Heads of State of two Member States of the European Union.   

Last year Hungary commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight of 1956.  I felt honoured as President of Malta to participate in the commemoration.  The commemoration organized by the Hungarian Government was a moving and fitting memorial to those tenacious and courageous men and women who struggled, against impossible odds, to regain their freedom and restore to their country its sovereignty.  It was further a fitting tribute to those who were brutally sacrificed in the course of the revolution or in the terrible reprisals that ensued. 

Seventeen years ago Hungary undertook many changes and went through the difficult period of transformation and adjustment necessitated by a complete change of system.  Mr President, I am aware that you were a participant of those events, having been the first Chairman of the then newly established Constitutional Court.  We have lived to witness not just the political transformation of Hungary of 1989/1990, but also Hungary's accession to the European Union – an accession that brought together the countries of Eastern and Western Europe and healed an injustice endured since the end of the Second World War.    

Mr President, 

On May 1st 2004 the future of Malta and Hungary was anchored as partners in Europe.  Membership of the European Union has enriched our relations with a newer dimension.  All the conditions now exist for the enhancement of ties between our countries in culture, education, research and development, trade and investment, tourism and in all the people-to-people exchanges that membership of the Union facilitates. 

I ask myself what is the secret of the success of the European Union?  The role of common cultural, historical and philosophical roots is clear.  However, the common cultural tradition would not have been sufficient if Europe had not been led by statesmen who had a vision, thought ahead and felt responsible for the more distant future. Such vision, responsibility and intellectual courage are also needed today.   

The challenges Europe is facing today may not be smaller but are certainly different from those prevailing fifty years ago when the foundation stones of the European Union were being laid.  While preserving our national culture, identity and values in the field of human rights and democracy, we as Member States of the European Union should be able to respond successfully to European and global challenges with the active support of our citizens.  Assuming our responsibilities on the world stage and taking the lead with regard to global challenges such as globalization, energy security, climate change, sustainable development and managing irregular immigration are enabled by the existence of a strong and effectively functioning European Union.   

The Constitutional Treaty ratified both by Malta and Hungary fortifies our common values – freedom, democracy and the rule of law – and is a commitment to the Fundamental Rights Charter contained therein.  The support of the citizens of Europe is essential for the success of the integration process.  We have to strive to bridge the gap between the experts, that is the politicians and academia, and the citizens.  It is my firm belief that further progress towards the vision of a united Europe can be made if it enjoys significant popular support.   

Similarly to Hungary, we recognize the importance of our active participation in the EU’s neighbourhood policy.  Peace and prosperity in, and strong and stable relations with, our neighbouring regions, the Mediterranean and the West-Balkan area, are our common strategic interest as well as a great challenge for the EU.   

Excellency, 

I am convinced that the relationship between our two countries is based on a solid foundation and that your visit will bring our countries closer together.  The multi-faceted cooperation between our two countries is mutually beneficial and has been developing in recent years, also due to the possibilities resulting from membership of the European Union – still there is room for including other areas and mapping out further possibilities.   

I am confident that we will succeed in building further upon our achievements.  Together we can further shape and build a better common future for ourselves and for Europe.   

In the sense of these thoughts I raise my glass to the health of Your Excellency, to the happiness and prosperity of the Hungarian People, and to deepening the friendship and cooperation between our two countries and Peoples.