“Our friendship with Israel is a stable point of Hungarian foreign policy and Hungary is doing everything possible to maintain and develop the friendship that links the people of Hungary and Israel”, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday in Budapest.

The Israeli Embassy organised a celebration of the 68th anniversary of the independence of the Jewish State in Budapest’s Vígszínház theatre. In his opening speech at the event, Mr. Szijjártó stressed that “cooperation between the two countries is developing dynamically in every area and there are no open questions in bilateral relations”. “If there is a country that understands that freedom and independence are the most important things for a nation, it is Hungary, the home of freedom-loving people”, the Foreign Minister said.

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“Hungary and the people of Hungary have always been proud to be the friends of Israel and the Israeli people, and are equally proud of the Jewish members of society, who have done a lot for Hungary”, Mr. Szijjártó said. According to the Foreign Minister, “Hungary is the best example of what values differing cultures living together can bring into being”. “In Hungary, communities live together, not side by side”, he pointed out, adding that “Hungary is proud of the fact that we have the most prosperous Jewish community within the Central European region. The two countries are linked by the Jewish community here and the Hungarians living in Israel”.

“Israel can always count on the fact that Hungary will support the balanced approach with relation to the Middle East”, Mr. Szijjártó also stated.

Israeli Ambassador Ilan Mor announced he would be leaving the post after five years of service, adding that he felt Hungarian-Israeli relations had improved during his term in Budapest and the parties had succeeded in further deepening the friendship between the two countries. “I travelled my own path” with relation to my duties, he added.

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We are now celebrating the fact that after two thousand years of exile the Jews returned to their historical homeland and re-established the sovereignty and independence of the Jewish State, and the country has provided equal rights to its citizens ever since, the diplomat said.

“Israel is a pioneer of modernisation within every field from innovation and science to energy and agriculture to education and culture”, he said, adding that despite their violent neighbours and the dangers facing their very existence, the people of Israel remain committed to bringing prosperity to their homeland.

Israel and Hungary are linked by significant historical relations and common interests and they both strive to build a future based on European values”, Ambassador Mor said. “We welcome the fact that Hungary is showing continuous understanding with regard to Israel’s security requirements and supports the country’s secure existence. Long live Hungarian-Israeli friendship!”, the Ambassador said in closing.

Following the opening speeches, the world famous Budapest Gypsy Symphony Orchestra gave a concert of works from various composers. Several politicians and representatives of the diplomatic corps attended the event.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)