Bulgaria and Hungary have common historical roots and have cultivated a deep friendship for more than 1,000 years. The two peoples are united also in their fight against communism. This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said at a solemn ceremony in Budapest, at which he was presented with the highest Hungarian state award “Grand Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit with Chain and Gold Star.” The Bulgarian Head of State received the highest state order for his merits in developing the relations between Bulgaria and Hungary and also for his contribution to reinforcing stability in the region and promoting European cooperation. The order is presented to a statesman in office for the first time in the past five years.
“Hungary is Bulgaria’s real friend,” President Plevneliev further emphasized and highlighted the care and support the Hungarian state offered to the thousands of Bulgarian gardeners at the beginning of the 20th century and also to the current Bulgarian community in the country, which strives to preserve its cultural identity and traditions. Rosen Plevneliev also highlighted the active political dialogue between the two countries within the EU and NATO, and also the top-level visits of President Janos Ader and Prime Minister Victor Orban in 2016.
“President Rosen Plevneliev is Hungary’s great friend and has done a lot to develop the relations between Bulgaria and Hungary. We have considered also the Bulgarian people a friendly nation in the past 1,000 years,” Prime Minister Victor Orban said at the ceremony. The Hungarian prime minister highlighted that despite the difficulties Bulgarians have experienced in their history, our people have always managed to pull themselves together. At the ceremony Victor Orban highlighted also Rosen Plevneliev’s personal contribution to overcoming the political instability in Bulgaria in the past years and to our country’s integration in the EU and NATO.