“I thank Hungary for creating conditions for our compatriots to learn their native language. The financial aid and the support provided by Hungary, directed towards preserving the language and historical memory of the Bulgarian community, is an example of tolerance and good will.” This is what Vice-president Iliana Iotova said at the meeting she held with Miklos Soltesz, Minister of State for Churches, National Minorities and Civil Affairs at the Ministry of Human Capacities in Budapest. The meeting was attended also by Simeon Varga, defender of the Bulgarian community in the National Assembly.
The Vice-president is on a working visit to Budapest and the visit is at the invitation of the Bulgarian community in Hungary and is taking place on the eve of the Day of Bulgarian-Hungarian friendship – 19 October.
At the meeting Iliana Iotova highlighted the importance of providing the Bulgarian diaspora in Budapest the opportunity to preserve its originality and self-consciousness. “We highly appreciate the institutional framework for minorities, developed by the Hungarian state, which allows the preservation of my compatriots’ national identity,” Iliana Iotova was adamant.
Together with Miklos Soltesz they shared the opinion that the relations between Bulgaria and Hungary based on historical and cultural ties and the affections between the two peoples, are excellent. “Declaring 19 October for the Day of Bulgarian-Hungarian friendship is a clear expression of these warm feelings,” the Vice-president said.
At the meeting the two exchanged opinions on a wide range of topics related to the bilateral relations, and also to the EU agenda. Iliana Iotova’s position was that the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the rotating Hungarian presidency of the Visegrad Group provide further opportunities for efficient interaction regarding issues topical for the region and Europe.
“We rely on Hungary’s support for Bulgaria’s Schengen accession and also for curbing the migration pressure because the countries along the external EU borders should not be the only ones to cope with the difficulties,” Vice-president Iotova said. She was assured by Miklos Soltesz that Hungary supports Bulgaria’s efforts to acquire Schengen membership and also to cope with the migration crisis. Iliana Iotova, for her part, thanked for the practical help Hungary provides by having its civil servants participate in the joint operations of Frontex on Bulgarian territory.
Earlier Iliana Iotova held a meeting with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Zsolt Nemeth, with whom they exchanged opinions on a wide range of issues related to bilateral cooperation. “The Bulgarian community here is a support for the Hungarian institutions and we will be happy to expand our mutual cooperation,” Zsolt Nemeth said.
At the talks the Vice-president emphasized that during Bulgaria’s Presidency of the Council of the EU the future financial framework of the post-2020 budget will be specified. Iliana Iotova identified as a priority the preservation of the cohesion policy ensuring closer connections between the European regions, which was the opinion shared by the representatives of the Hungarian institutions.
Within her visit, Bulgaria’s Vice-president attended the meeting of the Hungarian parliament, where she was welcomed by the deputy-chairman of the institution, Sandor Lezsak.
Later Vice-president Iotova will meet representatives of the Bulgarian community in Hungary in the building of the Bulgarian Republican Self-government.
The working visit includes a meeting with Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter, and also a visit to the St. St. Cyril and Methodius church in Budapest.