President Tamás Sulyok e Seas Initiative summit held in Vilnius expressed Hungary’s earlier intention and goal to strengthen political, economic, and infrastructural connections among Central European countries, aiming to elevate the region’s competitiveness and economic assertiveness in Europe and globally through enhanced collective cooperation, the Sándor Palace announced on Thursday.
The President emphasized the importance of advancing economic and diplomatic relations based on mutual respect, as well as fostering connectivity among Central and Eastern European countries. It was noted that representatives of the participating states at the summit adopted a joint statement.
The statement informed that the annual Three Seas Initiative Summit and Business Forum was held with the participation of thirteen countries situated between the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, Romania, Greece, and Bulgaria. It was highlighted that
the Hungarian President engaged in several bilateral meetings during the event.
With Romanian President Klaus Werner Iohannis, discussions centred on strengthening relations between their countries and the strategic partnership between Romania and Hungary. Sulyok congratulated Romania on its partial accession to the Schengen area, stating that the country should have been a full member long ago, a stance Hungary has always supported.
During the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sulyok condemned Russian aggression and reiterated Hungary’s commitment to supporting refugees from Ukraine and providing humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country. The Hungarian President stressed the need to halt the war, emphasizing Hungary’s interest in achieving an immediate ceasefire and establishing a sustainable, just peace, with the primary goal being to guarantee the security of the European continent. The President drew attention to the
importance of promptly reinstating the acquired rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia,
Ukraine, and ensuring their protection. Sulyok stated that as a legal expert, he believes it is simply necessary to return to previous conditions and restore the rights acquired by the Hungarian minority. Both parties expressed their commitment to continuing dialogue and constructive negotiations during the meeting.
In his discussion with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Sulyok emphasized that as a NATO member state, Hungary is a reliable ally of Latvia. One of the proofs of this is the Hungarian Air Force’s regular participation in the Baltic Air Policing mission. In addition to economic cooperation, new chapters can also open in cultural relations between the two countries. He appreciated that bilateral relations are trouble-free, and despite differences in the two states’ positions, they are always open to dialogue.
During his consultation with Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia Tomáš Taraba, Sulyok stated that it is in the interest of both countries to strengthen strategic partnership. They agreed and advocated for the enhancement of the Visegrád cooperation, which serves as an important strategic forum for consultation and collaboration. The Hungarian President reaffirmed what was stated in his previous congratulatory letter, expressing his expectation to welcome Peter Pellegrini, the newly elected President of the Slovak Republic, to Budapest following his inauguration, as informed by the Sándor Palace.
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