A tense diplomatic reaction has been issued to Hungary by the Slovakian government after House Speaker László Kövér crossed the border to hold a speech in Somorja (Šamorín) on August 2. Kövér spoke on the controversial topic of the 33rd Beneš decree, which stripped Hungarians and Germans in Slovakia of their citizenship and civil rights.
The Slovakian Foreign Minister voiced his cabinet’s offense to the sudden memorial speech held by Kövér, which involved the erecting of a memorial to Hungarians who were displaced in Slovakia following the Beneš decrees of 1945.
The Fidesz politician specifically addressed the 33rd decree, its first article stating that “those Czechoslovak citizens of German or Hungarian nationality who, according to the regulations of the alien occupational power, were given a German or Hungarian citizenship, lost their Czechoslovak citizenship on the day they gained this other citizenship.”
Article 2 reads, “the other Czechoslovak citizens of German or Hungarian nationality will be deprived of their Czechoslovak citizenship on the day this decree becomes effective.”
The Hungarian house speaker said that Hungary expects an apology for the controversial decree in the interests of future generations.
Hungary could not forgive the injustices committed against it, since until this day no apologies have been issued. The removal of rights, the indignity, and the expulsion to their homeland is to this day an unresolved event in our memory, an open wound in our soul.”
Slovakian Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok voiced his discontentment with Kövér’s unapproved visit, saying that he is tired of Hungary “presenting its own reading of history in Slovakia.”
Korčok called on the Hungarian government to “consider the language they use, avoid disturbances of the peace, and respect the Slovakian Republic as an equally ranked partner.”
In a long Facebook post, the Foreign Minister announced that the Slovakian foreign ministry had issued a diplomatic report to Hungary on the subject. He also shared eight points explaining the reasoning behind the report.
“The Foreign Ministry requests the Hungarian side to adhere to diplomatic protocols, and to inform the Slovak side of the intentions of state officials’ visits,” he requested. Korčok asserted that “our country is not named Felvidék.”
Featured photo illustration by Tamás Kovács/MTI
