"In matters of national policy and the protection of national minorities, there is no standing still," says Katalin Szili.Continue reading
Katalin Szili, the prime minister’s Envoy for Autonomy, assured the representatives of the Hungarian American community of the motherland’s attention during her visit to Washington, D.C.
Speaking at the Hungarian community center in the capital, she expressed her pleasure that the Kossuth House is home to Hungarian organizations that organize programs to help Hungarians preserve their identity and teach young people the language.
Community events, even festivals, also help to promote togetherness, and this is a value that should be preserved, she stressed, adding that the feedback from meetings with local Hungarians showed that the Hungarian government is on the right track with its national policy over the past twelve years.
She stressed to Hungarian news agency MTI that for Hungary, it is a fundamental principle that all Hungarians matter. Part of this is that Hungarians living around the world can count on Hungary, and Hungary counts on them, she added.
The envoy gave a presentation to representatives of ten organizations hosted by the Hungarian Embassy in Washington. “In my presentation, I conveyed the greetings of János Potápi Árpád János, Secretary of State for National Policy, and summarized the current state of national policy and national minority protection in Hungary,” Katalin Szili wrote on Facebook.
Szili met with the representatives of a number of Hungarian organizations, including the Hungarian American Coalition, the winner of the Friend of Hungary Award in 2022. We interviewed the President of the organization, Andrea Lauer Rice last year.
Katalin Szili with Andrea Lauer Rice in Washington
Szili also spoke on behalf of Hungary at the National Prayer Breakfast. In her speech, she stressed the need to take the important steps that will lead to peace and security in the world. She also stressed that Hungary attaches importance to traditional and religious values, families, and the homeland.
She told MTI that in her bilateral talks, she also drew attention to the rights violations against the Transcarpathian Hungarians in Ukraine.
Featured photo via Facebook/Katalin Szili