New Year’s wishes of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Hungary to László Sólyom

Mr. President,
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Colleagues,

After more than six years of my term in Hungary as Apostolic Nuncio, I’m honoured to be the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps also in my capacity as the senior most resident Head of Mission accredited to the Republic of Hungary. In this role, I have again the privilege of addressing you, Mr. President, and extending to you, on behalf of my colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps, our respectful and heartfelt wishes on the occasion of the traditional ceremony of exchange of New Year’s greetings. Please accept, Mr. President, our gratitude for having invited us today and also for the attention that you have shown to the Diplomatic Corps as the President of the Republic.

Your very intense activity at national and international level is the further sign of your care for the well-being of the Hungarian nation. During your visits abroad and while receiving the foreign Heads of State, you stress the importance of relations not only of an economical nature but even more of the necessity of building and strengthening human, historical and cultural relations between countries. I have no need to underline how fervent is your dedication to the preservation of the Hungarian culture not only in this region but also even in the very distant countries as you made it evident during your recent visit to Australia.


Due to the international financial and social crisis, the year 2009 was a very difficult one for most of the countries in the world. However, this situation offered an opportunity to review the rules of economy stressing the importance of moral approach to the solution of this vital question. Indeed it was not an easy year also for the country and for the Presidency of the Republic of Hungary. The reshuffle of the government and ongoing changes in Ministerial posts have certainly had an impact on the economy and social sensitiveness. At the same time it is important to take note of the accelerated engagement of Hungary in the international arena with its specific commitments to the activities of the European Union. I wish to mention here the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the opening of the borders with Austria celebrated on 27th June 2009, and the World Science Forum held in Budapest in November last.

Mr. President, the Patronage that your Excellency offered to the World Science Forum and your personal involvement in the discussions during the Forum, contributed in a significant way to the success of this important international gathering and gave guidance to one of the most controversial issues, namely the problem of environment. In your opinion, the problem of global economy and global society require fundamental changes as indeed you said: “To attain sustainability, humankind needs to raise the consumption level of the poor people of the world while at the same time it has to reduce its overall ecological footprint. The wealthy and the powerful have the ability to help the poor to develop by reducing their own ecological footprint”. To achieve these goals you suggest applying “a peaceful ecological revolution”, which is based on a foundation of solidarity and love. In your intervention, referring to the Encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, “Charity in Truth”, Your Excellency expressed the conviction that this process needs the commitment to the truth and “political love” for service in the public benefit.

Lack of substantial agreements in the matter of the protection of the environment that was perceptible during the UN Climate Change Conference held recently in Copenhagen, should not discourage us and constructive opinions in this matter should very much be taken into consideration. In this important issue concerning the future of our planet, we can count with the commitment and desire of millions of people and we are supported by voices of great authority like that of the Pope Benedict XVI, who in his Message for the World Day of Peace develops the theme: “If you want peace protect creation”. In the closing paragraph of his Message the Pope underlines: “Protecting the natural environment in order to build a world of peace is thus a duty incumbent upon each and all. It is an urgent challenge, one to be faced with renewed and concerted commitment; it is also a providential opportunity to hand down to coming generations the prospect of the better future for all. May this be clear to world leaders and to those at every level who are concerned for the future of humanity: the protection of creation and the peacemaking are profoundly linked!” (N.14).

Mr. President, my colleagues and I follow with particular attention your analysis of the present political and social situation in Hungary. Your constant call to avoid extremism and racism, to combat corruption and to respect moral values, above all in telling the truth, are for us indications that can guide the commitment and the collaboration of the respective countries with Hungary. Everywhere in the world we have to combat not only ecological degradation but also, as the Pope recently said, the spiritual pollution which is endangering traditional moral, historical and religious values that have an impact on society as a whole. The above mentioned World Science Forum gave also an opportunity to confront the situation in Hungary with the demands of the modern world. In fact, the Forum, while reaffirming the vital importance of basic science and asking for the improvement of the teaching of science, offers guidance in order to scrutinize the level of education from school to university in Hungary. It would be a significant loss for the development of the country if the current economical crisis was detrimental to the regular functioning of all categories of schools. These matters will be particularly impelling in this year of parliamentary, presidential and administrative elections. But you have stated, Mr President, in your conclusion on the presidential panel at the World Science Forum, that you trust people to be able to achieve their goal in a democratic and non-violent way. I am confident that it is with this conviction that Your Excellency reiterated: “The only hope are people themselves”.

It is a joy and honour for me to have accompanied your activity since the beginning of your presidency. Once again, I express our sincere gratitude for your kindness and disponibility towards the diplomats. We consider it a privilege to represent out countries in Hungary and we wish to reiterate the genuine willingness to cooperate for the well-being and progress of this country, as well as for coordinating efforts in achieving peaceful co-existence between nations. On behalf of all of us here gathered and on behalf of the countries we represent we wish you, Mr. President, your family and all the citizens of this beautiful country, a peaceful and prosperous Year 2010. Isten, áldd meg a magyart!