Hungary not only respects, but likes Germany, stated Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at a ceremony today, where he awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary to Bernhard Vogel, former Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia, and former President of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

The celebration was held in the Parliament Building, where Minister of Human Resources Zoltán Balog outlined that through this award Hungary recognised Bernhard Vogel’s multi-faceted work for Hungary through the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and in cultivating German-Hungarian relations.

The Hungarian Prime Minister, who presented the award, stated that Hungarians not only respect, but like Germans.

Minister Balog, while praising the 80-year-old Bernard Vogel’s life, said that he was one of those politicians who never gave up on Germany’s reunification and always knew that Central European countries like Hungary had a crucial role in achieving it.

After receiving his award, Mr Vogel emphasised in his speech that wherever he goes, he will draw attention to Hungary, this pearl among the European nations. His people would never forget what Hungary did for Germany in 1989 and the following years. Budapest, he added, was a city which belongs to Europe and without which Europe would not be what it is today. He emphasised that the difficulties Germany and Hungary were facing in the 1950s and ‘60s were much greater than the ones they face today. Therefore he believes that with appropriate measures today's problems can be resolved. In his closing remarks, he wished Hungary prosperity and success, and Prime Minister Orbán a long term as prime minister like he had.

Minister for Foreign Affairs János Martonyi, Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér, Minister of Development Mrs. László Németh, several Ministers of State and Mrs József Antall, widow of the former Hungarian Prime Minister also attended the award ceremony.

The German politician also spoke on Tuesday at Andrássy University at the event: Hungary, Germany and Europe. He emphasised that the Europe countries’ freedom depends on their joint effort in response to global challenges and added that Germany with its overall good economic situation is ready to help Hungary and Central Europe. Mr Vogel also announced that the Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s office in Hungary will be Frank Spengler, who personally requested to continue his work in this country.

In an interview to Hungarian daily Népszabadság, Mr Vogel highlighted that in order to alleviate concerns that double standards are applied with regard to Eastern and Western countries, Hungarians should help Western European states get to know them better. He said it is not true that Eastern European states are treated as inferior to Western ones, but it is true that less is known about them.

Asked about the views of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), regarding the Hungarian Prime Minister’s critical remarks about the European Union, Mr Vogel told the paper he interpreted those as more of a reaction to EU criticism directed towards Hungary. He said Prime Minister Orbán’s remarks were part of a defence strategy, which was necessary, but added that Fidesz must be open to dialogue too. On the subject of the possibility of Hungary purchasing E.ON’s gas business, Mr Vogel said he could not comment, but it seems that privatisation in post-socialist Hungary was a little too strong and too broad.

(Prime Minister's Office)