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Weiss: Slovak-Hungarian Relations Shouldn't Be Dictated By Extremists
Thursday 25 March 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, March 25 (TASR) - Slovak-Hungarian relations shouldn't be determined by extremists nor by the inappropriate reactions of the two countries' officials, Slovak Ambassador to Hungary Peter Weiss said on Thursday.
Weiss spoke at the conference, marking the 15th anniversary of signing the Treaty on Good Neighbourly Relations Between Slovakia and Hungary in Bratislava.
He harbours the conviction that using the bilateral tools of this Treaty, also known as the Basic Treaty, represents the best response against extremism. However, Weiss stressed that the two countries need to put their respective houses in order and put a halt to the inappropriate statements of some politicians. Yet for this policy to work, Weiss said, it must be applied both by Slovakia and Hungary – otherwise the policy will be ineffective.
Weiss pointed out to the statement published by Jobbik party candidate Tamas Gaudi Nagy, according to which "a referendum can be used to alter the borders, if necessary. To this end, however, a strong Hungarian army is called for". Weiss said that he expected the democratic parties in Hungary to distance themselves from such statements. "I've noticed no such reaction from the democratic parties, however," said Weiss.
He added that rather than stirring up passions in bilateral relations, the two countries should instead focus on their numerous common interests. "We share a lot of strategic interests. If we concentrate on that, we can do a lot for our people," said Weiss.
However, according to him, there's a possibility that "those forces that make politics based on stirring up hatred and emotions stemming from unforgiven historic traumas can come to power again".
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