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It is important for the voice of peace to be as loud as, if not louder than the volume of the voice of war, and it is important to make it clear that the global majority want peace, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated on Thursday in an address delivered at the summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara.
The Prime Minister stressed that, regrettably, “Europe was suffering from war psychosis,” the continent was drifting into the war with the passing of every day. Mr Orbán thanked the leaders of Turkic states for amplifying the voice of peace.
He also thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has, he said, so far managed to successfully mediate between the warring parties, and asked him to continue his efforts also in the future. “This is the only way we can have a chance of peace,” Mr Orbán pointed out. He further thanked the Turkish President for the fact that under the auspices of NATO Hungary and Turkey are able to coordinate their activities.
The Prime Minister stressed that the war was the main issue of Europe today, and this was presenting Hungary with a difficult situation. Ukraine is a neighbouring state, therefore, the impacts of the war are severe and direct; inflation is sky-high, while energy prices are at a historical high, he added, also indicating that many Hungarians have already died in the war as men are also being conscripted into the army from among the members of the Hungarian community living in West Ukraine.
Therefore, he continued, saving human lives is the number one priority for Hungary; this is why it stands for a ceasefire and the commencement of peace talks within the shortest possible time.
At the same time, the Prime Minister pointed out that what we were observing in Europe today was more than a war because, in actual fact, “the entire European balance of power is being rescripted,” and this could also have an impact on the Turkic world. He added that Hungary also saw another threat; processes are taking place in the world economy which could result in the development of blocs once again.
He said the development of blocs in the world economy was contrary to Hungary’s best interests; Hungary sees the future not in the development of blocs, but in connectivity.
The Turkic states could play a key role in this as we have here together European, Caucasian and Central Asian countries which are connected together on the basis of mutual respect, thereby serving as a good example for the whole world, he stated.
He said Hungary supports the elevation of economic, trade and energy connections with the Turkic states to a new dimension. We would also like to take part in the Turkic Investment Fund as soon as possible, the necessary funds are at our disposal, he pointed out.
The Prime Minister offered Hungary’s condolences due to the dramatic earthquake that hit Turkey, and reassured those who bravely rescued people in the aftermath of his highest esteem. He stressed that Hungary’s search and rescue units had joined their Turkish counterparts in the very first days, and had managed to rescue many people.
He confirmed that on Thursday, Hungary had handed over 100 tonnes of hospital supplies to the Turkish disaster management authority, and also indicated that Turkey could count on Hungary in the reconstruction works as well. He observed that seeing the vast progress Turkey had made in the past 23 years and “the fantastic steps” that the country had taken forward in the past ten years under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he was certain that the reconstruction effort would also be successful.
On the occasion of the 15 March national holiday, Mr Orbán further recalled that Turkish-Hungarian friendship had deep roots, dating back many years. He highlighted that the 1848 Hungarian war of independence had been crushed by the Germans and the Russians, following which officers, scientists and politicians in the hundreds had fled to Turkey where they had been taken in by the Turkish people.
