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Hungary will once again demonstrate its capability as a competent President of the European Council, stated President Katalin Novák on Wednesday at the Museum of Fine Arts, where she greeted members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Hungary.
In her address, she emphasized that while fifty years ago, one-fifth of the world’s population was European, today it is only one-tenth. EU countries presently represent 6% of the global population, and this is projected to decrease to 4% by 2070.
“If we neglect Europe’s population decline, we will be making a serious mistake,” cautioned the Head of State, also underscoring that Europe is becoming less of a global player economically. The question is whether this can be changed, she added.
She mentioned that there will be elections in Europe this year, providing 400 million European citizens the opportunity to influence the direction of European politics.
Following the elections, in the second half of the year, Hungary will assume the presidency of the European Union, marking the 20th anniversary of EU accession and the 25th anniversary of NATO membership.
Highlighting two key issues of the Hungarian Presidency, the president reiterated the demographic challenges and the significance of expediting the accession of Western Balkan countries to the EU.
She emphasized that Hungary is a Western-oriented country, a member of Western alliances, and also cultivates pragmatic relations and cooperation with other parts of the world.
In her capacity as head of state, she has prioritized placing a strong emphasis on international relations and diplomacy over the past year and a half. Having spent 104 days abroad, visiting 30 countries on 36 occasions, and participating in approximately 100 diplomatic events in Hungary, Katalin Novák mentioned her invitations to female heads of state worldwide to come to Budapest.
Addressing the diplomats, she stressed that while diplomacy has evolved, with heads of state communicating directly with each other, diplomats remain a credible source for their countries. Their portrayal of Hungary is decisive, and they understand when to signal or when not to. She encouraged them to seek good cooperation with Hungary both in the country and internationally.
Via MTI; Featured Image: MTI / Bruzák Noémi
