The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Minister of State for Security Policy and International Cooperation attended the “Conference on the Responsibility of States, Institutions and Individuals in the Fight against Anti-Semitism in the OSCE Area”, organised by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on 29 January in Rome.
In his speech, the Minister of State highlighted the fact that Jewish communities in Hungary are living in safety, and the Hungarian Government is doing everything possible to assure that this remains the case. He reported on the Government’s programme to renovate and reconstruct Jewish monuments and synagogues, telling those present that Jewish culture is experiencing a renaissance in Hungary and that Hungary will be hosting the European Maccabi Games in 2019.
On the sidelines of the conference, Dr. Mikola held talks with Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See's Secretariat of State, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, with whom he reviewed the most important issues pertaining to religious diplomacy between Hungary and the Vatican, including amongst others the postponement of the Pope’s planned visit to Romania in 2018, the case of the II. Rákóczi Ferenc Roman Catholic Theological Secondary School in Marosvásárhely (Târgu Mureș), and issues relating to the Ukrainian Language Act. Dr. Mikola thanked the Archbishop for his cooperating with relation to these disputed issues.
On Monday morning, the participants of the conference were received for private audiences with Pope Francis in the Vatican.
(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/MTI)
