“The Holocaust continues to weigh down on the Hungarian soul as a deep trauma. Those historical events are experienced as a tragedy by Hungarian society as a whole,” the Minister of State for Security Policy and International Cooperation said in New York, where he met with representatives of Jewish organisations on 30 September.

István Mikola noted that the Hungarian Government assumes historical responsibility for the events, as expressed on several occasions by high-ranking Hungarian state officials. He emphasised that the Government regards the Jewish community to be an integral part of the nation, as Hungary has more than a thousand years of experience in coexistence, which strengthens the nation. “Cultural diversity also contributes to the survival of our society, while Jewish religion and culture is undergoing a renaissance in Hungary, which we welcome with enthusiasm and are supporting financially,” he said, in reference to the renovation of synagogues and Jewish cemeteries.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)