Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Wednesday urged the start of European Union and NATO accession talks with Macedonia after receiving an award of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD).
The award named after renowned Macedonian freedom fighter Goce Delchev was granted by President of the UMD board Metodija A. Koloski. The award recognises people whose public life activity had a great influence on the Macedonian people.
The Prime Minister said at the awards ceremony that Macedonia is well prepared, has dedicated itself to EU and NATO membership and has completed the necessary tasks.
Hungary's position is that a dispute with Greece about the use of the name must not prevent the start of accession talks, he added. The Prime Minister stated that in the past Macedonians under Communist rule suffered from the same things as Hungarians, such as the lack of freedom, the suppression of national culture and the lack of free movement.
Commenting on the award, the Hungarian Prime Minister said he considered it a recognition by Macedonia to Hungary and added that "these awards also symbolise a tradition ... that the fight for freedom is never hopeless."
Mr Koloski said at the event that the award was to recognise Prime Minister Orbán's support and help to Macedonia's aspirations for integration.
UMD, headquartered in Washington, DC, is an international non-governmental organisation promoting the interests and needs of Macedonians and Macedonian communities worldwide
(Prime Minister's Office)
