When I thought about what are the human qualities on the basis of which Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Affairs, earned the Civil Solidarity Forum's Spiritual Patriot Award, the first thing that came to mind was the word courage. Then, of course, there were other concepts related to the minister, such as tirelessness, accuracy, perseverance, strength, excellent expressiveness, comprehensible and clear wording, and the almost unsurpassed work ethic, which Prime Minister Viktor Orbán perhaps spoke about most precisely, when he said that he is the minister who can be present in two places at the same time.
One could continue to list the virtues of Mr. Péter Szijjártó, which he has displayed since 2014, eight years ago during his ministerial work, but I would stick to the first mentioned: courage.
In order for someone to be effective as a Hungarian foreign minister at the beginning of the 21st century, by consistently and consistently representing Hungarian national interests, without compromises or bad compromises, one must first and foremost be brave, and I would even add, very brave.
In order for a relatively small country like Hungary, which is stuck here in Central Europe between the Szküllás and Kharübdiszes of the West and the East, to preserve its national sovereignty and independence, it primarily and decisively needs courage. Even more so, because although our conquering ancestors chose the Carpathian Basin as their future and final homeland precisely because of its wonderful regional unity, waters, mountains, weather protection, and favorable agricultural conditions, other great powers also think similarly about this area, and about Central Europe in general. They also consider this region to be an excellent area, so they feel an inexorable urge to take possession or at least exercise power over the peoples and nations living here.
A hundred years ago, a British geographer of Scottish origin, a certain Halford J. Mackinder, wrote that whoever rules Eastern Europe - and by that he included our region, of course - essentially rules the whole world. In connection with the Russian-Ukrainian war, it seems as if we can see the revival of this desire in the games of the great powers and global forces.
Well, to paraphrase Attila József, we have to stand in a whirlwind in the middle of geopolitical struggles, of which the European Union, of which we have been a member since 2004, is a part and, unfortunately, not strong enough and not sovereign enough. We also had to learn in the last twelve years that the western political federal system to which we belong often sees us not as friends, but as obstacles, who stand in their way with our independent values and our commitment to our sovereignty, behind which there is a thousand years of struggle and perseverance.
Péter Szijjártó sees all of this precisely, he has personally experienced the double standards applied by the Brussels elite towards us, which he has to deal with during his EU negotiations, almost week by week and day by day. He has clearly learned to discipline himself, he does not go head-to-head, but within the framework of diplomacy, he most definitely expresses the arguments of our country and stands up for Hungarian interests.
In such a geopolitical storm, looking for a way between the great powers, it would always be an easier solution to give in, to give up our Iranian desire for independence, to give in and do what the great powers have been expecting from us for centuries - to fall in line, and then we will receive protection from them. Well, lesson learned: this defense somehow always ends up going wrong for us.
The Orbán government, following the Kuruc tradition of our country, does not want to become a colony of either the West or the East - instead, it consistently protects our country's national interests, be it economic, energetic or spiritual and cultural values. And in this gigantic struggle, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó plays an extremely important and effective role. He tirelessly and consistently represents our country both in the European Union, in our disputes with the Commission, in the matter of war and sanctions, as well as against the current government of the United States, which is not exactly friendly to us, and its ambassador, as well as during negotiations with the great powers of the East, Russia and China .
I would like to highlight the fact that he always clearly and precisely explains the position and position of the Hungarian government, he is a straightforward and predictable partner, and as I can see, he really does not like sneaky, backroom games and deals, he is far from it that his words and actions there are significant differences between them.
It is not a small virtue that he is excellent in the international media. I could also give an example, and since I don't need to describe the privileged role and influence of the media here, the significance of these successful interviews cannot be overestimated in terms of introducing Hungarian perspectives to the world public.
I also don't want to hide the fact that the minister and I have known each other personally for a long time, even from the time we spent in the opposition, and I can only say that Péter Szijjártó is just as straightforward and honest in private life as he is in big politics, during his negotiations.
I would like the minister to know that the national side of the country respects and esteems you very much, you are always mentioned among the first in our camp, in short, a lot of us stand behind you, we support you during your often Sisyphean, but ultimately successful work . If I can use a football analogy - since the World Cup is going on right now - then I would say that we are sure that you are a striker in the government team who, if he gets into a situation, will definitely not miss it and score a goal for the nation.
I think I can safely say that if there is someone who really deserves the CÖF's Intellectual Patriot Award, it is none other than Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Mr. Minister, I think we wish you, on behalf of many, that for a very long time you will remain at least as much strength and endurance for the work of the spiritual defender of the country as you have been, because then the protection of Hungarian interests and the cause of national sovereignty will be in good hands.
I heartily congratulate you on the Spiritual Defender Award!
Source: Cöf-Cöka
Featured image: László Csizmadia, president of CÖF-CÖKA, Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Laudator Tamás Fricz, political scientist. Source: MTI
