On Tuesday Minister Balog has sent the following letter to Mr Szaniszlo.

Dear Mr Szaniszlo,

On 15th March 2013, I awarded you with the Táncsics Prize based on the recommendation of the Society of Hungarian Journalists (Magyar Újságírók Szövetsége). My intention was primarily to recognize your work as a foreign affairs journalist reporting the former Soviet Union and the Balkans war.

It was only after having taken my decision that I was informed about your declarations in the past few years. I cannot identify myself with these statements as they are confronting the values represented by me and the Hungarian Government.

I immediately, publicly acknowledged my mistake. As I have no other means, I hereby request you to return the Prize mistakenly awarded by me.

I trust in your wise decision.

Yours sincerely,

Zoltán Balog
Minister of Human Resources

(Ministry of Human Resources)