Five party conciliation on the Hungarian-Slovakian tensions

It is not in the interest for either of the two governments to allow the extremists to write their present history, added Gyurcsány. The small radical groups existing at the fringe of Hungarian society are not acceptable, added the PM. If we want to ask and demand that others respect our national feelings we also have to reject those who were leaving Hungary with provocative intentions and state that burning the flag of any country is disagreeable, he continued. “Hungary respects Slovakia, its independence and integrity. All Hungarian parliamentary parties respect Slovakia, the Slovak nation, culture and science.” While the Hungarian government stands far from the extremists there are forces in the Slovakian political spectrum that are based on nationalism and allow themselves a tone that is unacceptable even in normal human relations, Gyurcsány said, reported Hungarian daily, Népszabadság. More consultation is needed between the parliamentary parties in this matter, he continued.None of the leaders of the five parties excluded the possibility to make a joint declaration on resolving the Slovakian-Hungarian situation.“The most important thing is to first sweep our own porch,” said Gábor Fodor, chairman of SzDSz. In Fodor’s opinion, Hungarian extremists endanger the future of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia and all necessary steps need to be taken against the nationalists having their say in politics. All political parties should distance themselves from these groups, he added.
Opposition Fidesz party agrees that all due respect should be given to every nation and at the same time firm and coherent political talk is expected from the PM that also expresses Hungarian unity when meeting with the Slovak partners, said Tibor Navrasics, faction leader of Fidesz. He also asked Gyurcsány to mention the use of the Hungarian language and to talk about Hungarian minority schools that fall short of EU funds.