IF THE Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) becomes a member of the next Slovak government, relations between Slovakia and Hungary could be excellent, party leader Pál Csáky stated in an interview with the SITA newswire on October 14.
According to Csáky, Viktor Orban, the leader of the Hungarian opposition party Fidesz, has stated several times that he is interested in good relations with Bratislava. Csáky, however, said that this depends on a positive minority policy by the Slovak government, whatever its composition.
“I provide a guarantee again that if the SMK is in the future Slovak government, relations between Slovakia and Hungary have the potential to be marvellous,” said Csáky.
Csáky said he did not understand why some people have criticised Orban's forthcoming participation at the SMK congress this Saturday. He labelled the critical voices as “provincial”, as Viktor Orban is likely to be the future Hungarian prime minister. He is a democratic politician and deputy chairman of the European People's Party who is recognised and welcomed throughout Europe, Csáky argued. He added that people who want to see in Orban an enemy at any price are in fact looking through the distorting lenses of [Slovak National Party chairman] Ján Slota. According to Csáky, Slota deforms Slovak society, Slovak public opinion and Slovak government policy more than any perceived danger from Budapest. SITA
Compiled by Jana Liptáková from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
