Prime Minister Viktor Orbán presented two Lebanese businessmen with the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary for the development of Hungarian-Lebanese relations. Mr. Orbán emphasized that Hungary understands the East's message, and so has many prestigious friends in the East.

On the proposal of the Prime Minister, in addition to the strengthening of economic relations between the two countries, President of the Republic János Áder also presented the awards to former Lebanese Minister of State and President of Fransabank Adnan Wafic Kassar and his brother Adel Wafic Kassar, the Vice President of Fransabank, for their role in organizing the Hungarian-Arab Economic Forum in Budapest last year. During the ceremony it was stated that Fransbank is one of the biggest banks in Lebanon with significant interests in France, Algeria, Sudan and Syria, in addition to Lebanon itself.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the Hungarians never forget that they came from the East, so „we feel good in the East and we also feel good in the company of people from the East”.

Viktor Orbán stated that Hungary understands the East's message that both money and success are important, but that these are worth nothing without friendship, adding that Hungary may be considered a privileged country, because it has many friends in the Eastern region.

Viktor Orbán concluded that Hungary has a bright future ahead of it and it is especially satisfying to award those who have always stood by Hungary through thick and thin.

(Prime Minister’s Office)