‘As a Christian conservative politician, the most important thing for me is to find the path to our ultimate goal, a just peace, in the Ukrainian war‘, President of the Republic Katalin Novák declared at the summit of the Council of Europe heads of state and government in Reykjavik on Wednesday, 17 May. Novák pointed out that if all the conditions for a just peace are fulfilled, it will not only enable a ceasefire, but also a sustainable peace that includes reconciliation.
The president emphasised that the heads of state and government of the Council of Europe have
an ‘extraordinary responsibility in promoting and ensuring peace for their citizens.’
Novák welcomed the increasing support for a ‘fair and just peace,’ which she said is ‘a universal desire of all our citizens.’ She stated that everyone has the right to life, including those trapped in war zones. She reminded that the Council of Europe plays a central role in the protection and promotion of human rights and has done much for democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in the past decades.
‘Therefore, this is the right time and place to formulate a clear message: the message of the right to peace,’ she said. She also addressed the situation of minorities in her speech. ‘We must pay particular attention to ensuring that the struggle for freedom does not result in the violation of the rights of national minorities,’ she emphasised. She reminded that respecting the rights of national minorities is one of the foundations of European cooperation that cannot be set aside. Since its establishment in 1949, this year’s summit is the fourth meeting of the organization. The previous one was hosted by Poland in 2005.
According to Katalin Novák, ‘this summit should have been a celebration because our economies have never been so developed, we have successfully overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, we have learned how to strengthen our common values, and how to deal with cultural, historical, and linguistic differences that make Europe so unique and valuable.’
However, ‘many old and new challenges require our immediate attention and demand action from us: a brutal war is raging in continental Europe, and our peaceful way of life is under attack,’ she noted. ‘The insane decision of Russia to attack Ukraine, which is located right next to Hungary, has turned our world upside down,’ said the President.
According to Katalin Novák, the war demands a united and decisive response because ‘an armed attack and aggression against a sovereign state are unacceptable.’ The President added that
war crimes must be investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.
During the two-day summit in Iceland, the Hungarian head of state held a ‘friendly conversation’ with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whom she described as ‘a friend’ with whom she shares the same values and views regarding families and illegal migration. The President posted photos on social media of her friendly encounter with the Italian premier.
Katalin Novák also held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, and also had consultations with Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova, as well as Denys Shmyhal, the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
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