New Year Diplomatic Reception in Budapest

Relations between countries and dialog between nations cannot be based on lies or denial of the truth. That is according to Hungarian President János Áder, who received the members of the diplomatic corps at the Palace of Arts (Müpa) Budapest Monday evening.

At the traditional opening ceremony of the diplomatic event, the head of state said that in the past ten years, he has represented the values that he considers important as a Hungarian, as a man who cares for future generations, as a father of a family and now also as a grandparent - should they concern the confession of the past, the debates of the present or responsibility for the future, he added.

In his speech, János Áder thanked diplomats and the countries they represent for being his partners in countless places and ways, such as in accepting, speaking and representing the truth.

At the end of his speech, he quoted the words of Robert Schuman, one of the founders of European integration and former French Foreign Minister: "World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it."

In closing, he wished all those present a spirit of peace-building, good health to overcome difficulties and problems, strength, the rejection of lies, the acceptance of the truth and, in the New Year, "creative efforts commensurate with the dangers".