President Novák Thanks Turkey for Mediation Role in the War in Ukraine

Hungarian President Katalin Novák and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with László Lehoczki, member of the Hungarian rescue team that assisted rescue efforts after the February earthquakes in Turkey, and his rescue dog Hope at a press conference.

Hungarians will continue to help the Turkish people in the aftermath of the earthquakes and in the coming times as well, Hungarian President Katalin Novák said at a joint press conference following her meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday.

The Hungarian President said that on behalf of the Hungarian Ecumenical Charity, President and CEO László Lehel will hand over a donation worth HUF 100 million (EUR 262,000) to Turkey on Wednesday, and that Hungarians will also help the earthquake-hit country with 100 tons of medicine and medical equipment. At the press conference, Katalin Novák thanked the Hungarian organizations involved in the rescue work and stressed the unity and willingness of the Hungarian people to help.

She mentioned the Russian-Ukrainian war, illegal migration, the enlargement of the European Union and NATO, energy cooperation and demographic challenges among the topics of the meeting with the Turkish President.

The Hungarian President pointed out that

on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, she invited President Erdogan to jointly open the joint cultural year of Turkey and Hungary in December.

Novák spoke about the Russian-Ukrainian war, stressing the need for a ceasefire, peace talks, and a just peace as soon as possible, and the fate of the 150,000 Hungarians living in Transcarpathia. She stressed the need to avoid escalation of the war and thanked Turkey for its mediation role.

Thank you to President @RTErdogan for the great meeting. I once again expressed my condolences. He thanked the Hungarians for their help and support after the earthquake, where Hungarian rescue teams saved 35 lives. Hope, one of the rescue dogs, also accompanied me to #Ankara. pic.twitter.com/SnMmqW8fP3

— Katalin Novák (@KatalinNovakMP) March 29, 2023

She also highlighted Turkey’s role in illegal migration, which is a key issue for Hungary. At the same time, she thanked Turkey for ensuring Hungary’s future energy supply through the Turkish Stream and emphasized the importance of cooperation with strategic partners, including Turkey.

Speaking about demographic challenges, Novák said that

preserving traditional family values, which are the key to our future, is of paramount importance for both countries and that she invited President Erdogan to join the Network of Family-friendly Presidents.

Novák, who arrived for a three-day visit to Turkey, will visit the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Thursday, tour parts of the earthquake-hit region, inaugurate the statue of the rescue dog Mancs (Paws) on Friday, and visit the Imre Thököly-Ilona Zrínyi Memorial House and wreath the tomb of Imre Thököly (Emeric Thököly, 1657-1705) who was a Hungarian nobleman,  and leader of anti-Habsburg uprisings. Refusing to surrender to Habsburg Emperor Leopold I, Thököly lost his principality of Upper Hungary and finally retired to Galata, Turkey, near Constantinople, with large estates granted him by Mustafa II.

Featured photo via MTI/Bruzák Noémi