The Hungarian and Croatian people belong closely together, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén said at the opening of the school year at the Croatian Kindergarten, Elementary and Secondary School.

Mr Semjén pointed out: the Croats and the Hungarians are tied together not only by their common past, but also by their almost 800 years of common statehood.

He reiterated the common past and history of the two countries, and highlighted, among others, that the bloody tragedies of the 20th century caused enormous losses to the people of the two countries which had by then been divided into two from a constitutional point of view. The two nations found one another once again during the Yugoslav Wars in the nineties, and József Antall and his government were among the first to recognise Croatia’s independence.

In the 21st century the Orbán Government effectively assisted our southern neighbour’s accession to the European Union, Mr Semjén reiterated.

The Deputy Prime Minister further pointed out that the Presidents of the two countries will meet next week in Szigetvár in connection with the events of the Zrínyi Memorial Year.

Upon addressing the students, he said: the future will unfold in them, they will pass on the Hungarian and Croatian languages and will foster the traditions of the two nations. It will be their responsibility to continue the process of bridge building, „the time travel that will create a staircase for the future”, he said.

Principal Anna Bojtár said that the institution is attended by 255 students, and is beginning its 23rd school year since it became independent.

The beginning of the school term coincides with the events of the Zrínyi Memorial Year, the head of the institution added, highlighting: in the ceremonial programme of the school year opening, they will also pay tribute to the common heroes and idols.

They believe that no school of any kind can function as a kind of knowledge factory, and this is especially true of a school catering for a national minority. Teaching is a mission at the same time, the Principal pointed out, who stated that their goal is to provide competitive and up-to-date knowledge for their students, and to encourage them to continue their studies. They would like to educate young people who preserve their Croatian identity, and are equally committed to the Croatian and the Hungarian nations, she said.

Croatian Ambassador to Budapest Gordan Grlic-Radman said thanks for the special attention and support provided by the Hungarian State for the institution. Croatia, too, is making every effort to provide all assistance with the preservation and fostering of Croatian culture and traditions, he indicated.

(MTI)