Kyiv is ready to give the Hungarian minority what the Ukrainians get in Hungary, and this is not a bad starting point.
It was an unusual feeling to go down into a bunker, Katalin Novák stated in connection with the fact that during her visit to Kyiv the other day, she herself was forced to retreat to the shelter due to an air raid warning.
According to the President of the Republic's report, in the shelter of the government quarter of a war-torn country, the heads of state and government gathered there after a while exhaust the pre-planned topics, and a more informal conversation develops, which of course is primarily of a political nature.
"We talked with the Moldovan Prime Minister about Moldova's accession to the European Union. I told him about the Hungarian experience, including the fact that in the union, the homework is not only held to account before joining the country, but also as a member. In any case, those who joined later have to put more on the table than the founding member states. Don't expect anything else," Katalin Novák recounted her experiences in an interview with Index.
The President of the Republic said that, although he had previously met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, this was the first time that he had a longer conversation with him, moreover, face to face.
I was waiting for us to look into each other's eyes to make sure that there is a mutual intention to cooperate - emphasized the head of state.
"President Zelensky explained that since Transcarpathia is currently the safest region of Ukraine, he sees it as a resource in the long term. He thanked the Hungarian help so far and the support of the people of Transcarpathia. I emphasized that it is in our mutual interest that the members of the approximately 150,000 Hungarian minority living in Transcarpathia can fully exercise their minority rights. I have not hidden the fact that substantial progress is now needed in this regard," stressed Katalin Novák, adding that it was possible to agree with the Ukrainian head of state that they would open a new chapter in bilateral relations and take meaningful and concrete steps in the interest of Transcarpathian Hungarians.
"You don't need words. The members of the Ukrainian minority living in Hungary enjoy very extensive rights, and that's fine. The Ukrainian president said that what the members of the Ukrainian minority receive in Hungary, they are ready to give to the members of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. This is not a bad starting point".
Katalin Novák also pointed out that Europe and Hungary are closer to war than many people think.
"An escalation can happen at any moment. We - who were born in peace - cannot even imagine what a war is like! On the one hand, we think: it is merely the past, it cannot be the threatening future, on the other hand, most people know weapons from the world of video games. Now bloody reality knocked. This war not only destroyed the lives of Ukrainians, but also, as Pope Francis put it, "brought the conflict into our homes". In Transcarpathia, I met a mother grieving a child lost at the front, and members of separated families. War is their reality. It is in the interest of the Hungarian people that our country is not overtaken by this merciless destruction. That is why we are firm advocates of peace".
According to the president of the republic, the Ukrainian president will probably be less interested in the Hungarians' desire for peace, because he represents Ukrainian interests, and Hungarians represent Hungarians. “And that's okay. And I understand if someone wants to protect their country at all costs," said Katalin Novák, who believes that even with this, the parties should sit down at the negotiating table as soon as possible.
The head of state also reported on his visit to the Vatican. "The most important question now in the Vatican was how we can awaken the desire for peace in those who live further from this conflict. The Holy Father considers the role of women and female leaders to be extremely important. He said that we, women, look for solutions to conflicts much more than men, and that is why he counts on me personally to promote peace".
"The Holy Father is a man of peace who sees Hungary as a place where peace can start," the President of the Republic emphasized, adding that Pope Francis asked him to continue to stand up for the traditional in addition to family values, support young people in being brave enough to say yes to starting a family, even if they want a career.
