Toespraak Hongaarse president Pál Schmitt bij overdracht voorzitterschap (en)

And now allow me to switch to Hungarian. Ladies and Gentlemen, The rotating Presidency of the European Union, the reason for which we are meeting here today, is a huge task and a huge opportunity for my country. We are proud to take over the post as a third member of the Troika, after Spain and Belgium. We will also be very happy when we hand over the baton to our Polish friends. Although the Presidency is usually the job of the governments, I myself would like to play an active role in the events, because I feel that it is my obligation to put my several decades of diplomatic experience in the service of my country. I wish to use every opportunity to help improve the international recognition of my country ­ after a rather controversial period. Distinguished guests, I have been in this office for close to half a year now, assuming this constitutional role in this building that itself has a rather peculiar story. Last year the Hungarian citizens gave a mandate that is unprecedented on the European scale to the political forces that now form the parliamentary majority and government. It was this force, this will that elevated me into my current office. I know that the working tool of journalists is news, but perhaps even more, it is the truth. The truth, the good news is: that Hungary today has a government with huge public legitimacy, extremely strong parliamentary majority, that is capable of overcoming the economic difficulties and capable of establishing order. The mandate given at the democratic elections is not only huge in terms of its proportions but it also reflects the expectations of Hungarians, the extent of the sovereign power, legitimacy transferred.

The majority of my compatriots have not only said no to the past, but have also stated what they think the future should be like. I look at the processes that have taken place in 2010 as a great sigh of Hungarians, with which we wanted to exhale the poison that held everything back and to inhale fresh, invigorating oxygen. This sigh demanded order. Order in the way the state functioned, discipline in finances, and justice in laws and procedures. It demanded the recovery of the economy and the health system, the protection of jobs and families. It is this peaceful making of order that is required for Hungary to become stronger. For a strong Europe can only be made up of strong nations. Just as a rotating EU presidency, the office of the President will also bear the characteristics of the person assuming it, the person executing the office. For me it is great challenge that my term in office coincides with an extremely significant public law process in my country, namely the drafting of a new Constitution. This work is mainly justified by the fact that our current basic law in effect is declaredly interim in nature and defines itself as being valid until a new Constitution, meeting the challenges of the modern age is adopted. Only a clearly articulated, publicly accepted basic law that serves generations will be capable of providing a safe backdrop for economic development and changes. It is for this reason that I stand ­ of my own resolution ­ by having a new Hungarian constitution become a clear, explicit standard, that settles our common affairs for historic perspectives, that sets forth our basic rights, the framework in which the state functions. I also promote the idea of having among the basic principles a mention of values that shape our destiny, form our identity like a reference to Christianity, the protection of families and the national language, the right to a healthy life and to sports or the significance of life-long learning. Ladies and Gentlemen, I know that during these two days you have been to many places, have heard and listened to many statements, have gathered a lot of information in meeting with government officials. You have asked questions and I am hopeful that you have received reassuring answers. I have seen your program: I should say that we have dictated a very tight schedule. I am grateful to you for coming, for showing an interest in us. I am grateful for your critical approach, which always has a sobering effect that helps us rectify our mistakes. István Széchenyi, a very important Hungarian historic figure, who we call the greatest of Hungarians, had a very eloquent statement that has not lost any of its meaning since the 19 th century. It is that "an independent mind will see with its own eyes and not with that of others." A purpose of a visit like the one you are now paying to Budapest, the primary purpose of a personal encounter is for one to see with his or her own eyes the world about which they have to make

judgement. If we can see something with our own eyes, then we are no longer required to rely on other peoples' judgement, other peoples' opinions. Your visit to Hungary allows you to do this, to see clearly on a topic that you as journalists are especially interested in. I am referring to the new Hungarian Media Act that has had many negative mentions in Europe ­ may I add: perhaps without a precise knowledge of the text of the law, since the official translation was only finalized the day before yesterday. I am sure that during the past days you have seen firsthand and I can only reassure you as the President of this country that Hungary is a democratic state, where civil liberties are respected comprehensively. Every action taken by our country is measured against the common European standards. Thus if the text of this law does not live up to these, we are open to reviewing it. If you read the text of the Hungarian Media Act, that is now accessible in English also, you will see that its spirit is about safeguarding rights. Primarily by protecting human dignity, protecting the rights and interests of young people and by reinstating the true spirit of public service media. If you like, it is food for thought, to think how one should manage the situation, where there seems to be apparent conflicts between certain liberties. Let us admit, nowadays there is a lot of debate in the world about the conflict between different rights, the priority order among them. I am on the opinion that the Hungarian Media Act handles these conflicts according to the right principles and I can agree with the idea of giving priority to the protection of human dignity and the rights of future generations, and not allowing it to be exploited by the ­ equally important ­ freedom of speech. I honestly hope that this law that has barely entered into force a few days ago will prove its worth. Let us see how it works in practice and then demand changes, if these are justified on the basis of experience. I know that your mission, your task is to ask ­ to ask even about the Media Act. I can only ask everybody to seek the true and just answers in the case of Hungary also. My advanced response is what I reitere again: The freedom of the press prevails in Hungary! The freedom of the press is full and comprehensive. Nothing is better proof of this than the newspapers that appear with front page articles vehemently attacking the efforts of the government or the Media Act for that matter. Many of you have come from countries, where the freedom of the press has decades, if not centuries of tradition. I am confident that the experiences you have gained in that atmosphere will help you make correct judgement and to only believe your own eyes. Ladies and Gentlemen,

Last year we celebrated Pécs and it being the "Cultural Capital of Europe" and the opportunity that this provided; the increased attention and multifaceted experience provided by cultural dialogue. Now it is the whole country that is opening its gates wide, to show Europe: this is us, this is us Hungarians. We know that we do not only have to stand up for ourselves, but also for a community of 27 countries, of half a billion people. Success for us can only be if Europe comes out stronger as a result of our work. I come from the world of sports and have won my Olympic medals in a team discipline. I know what it is like to count on each other, when we have to work for a common cause, when "one for all, all for one" becomes a daily practice. Fate has it that we are taking over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in a rather difficult period. I can reassure you that Hungarians are "hungry" for success and hold the common European objectives close to their hearts. Much to our happiness, this year is not only bringing challenges in EU policies, but is also promising in artistic terms. The "Liszt-year" is to begin. Europe is celebrating a musical genius, whose whole life achievement is an example of what European identity means: how the common intellectual traditions can form its core and how someone can live to promote the common legacy of different national cultures. Liszt, who was fine as a Frenchman, precise as a German or passionate as an Italian, nurtured and proudly declared his Hungarian origins. He was proud ­ and I quote ­ to be "the son of this inherently free nation". It is in this spirit that I would like to conclude my speech. Hungary's inherently free, greatly enthusiastic people are ready to give their talents, their diligence and their Hungarian temperament to serve the European community. Thank you for your attention.