Maronite Patriarch of Antioch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi has congratulated Viktor Orbán on his recent election victory, the Prime Minister’s Press Chief, Bertalan Havasi informed Hungarian news agency MTI on Tuesday.

According to the Patriarch, the Hungarian people appreciate the “outstanding leadership” that the Prime Minister has provided for almost the past decade.

Patriarch Al-Rahi recalled the fact that he visited Hungary in 2013 and personally met with Mr. Orbán.

“One of your ideals, which I remember very clearly (…) is to keep your country close to its Christian roots, which has influenced Europe’s culture for centuries, and that despite the huge pressure on your Government you were not prepared to give up your standpoint and get in line with the followers of the latest European trends”, the Maronite Patriarch of Antioch wrote.

The religious leader specifically thanked Hungary for enabling many Lebanese students to study at Hungarian universities within the framework of the government’s scholarship programme, which enables young people from Lebanon and Hungary to forge close relations, and which in turn reinforces the ties between the two peoples.

“I am praying that God continues to provide his blessing for your efforts, and gives you the health, courage and strength to continue serving your country and successfully preserve the values that provide your excellent identity”, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi wrote in closing.

(MTI)