27 January 2014, Budapest

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Students, Dear Teachers,

First of all, thank you for coming here today. To one of the perhaps most stately halls of one of Hungary's most beautiful and famous buildings, where today, we are celebrating your excellent performance. I can sympathise with your situation. I remember when I first became a Member of Parliament in my twenties, about a quarter of a century ago, at first I always felt that I should always walk around on tiptoes here. One somehow feels the gaze of our forefathers here, those who made the nation great and who, through the storms of history, succeeded nevertheless in raising their homeland to such a level that it was able to construct such a beautiful Parliament. Here we are indeed surrounded by the greatness of Hungary and the Hungarian nation. However, Ladies and Gentlemen, in addition to leaving us in awe, it also gives us motivation and strength, reminding us that we must do our utmost to grow up to our own mission, and do our best to be worthy of our forefathers. That we must want to set our self great objectives and that we must want to achieve great things. And all of us here, the members of the older generation, would like this place and its spirit to infuse you and encourage you to do the same. This is why, dear students, we all feel that it is right that those who are the guarantors of Hungary's future successes, you, our most excellent young talents, should be celebrated here each year. In your presence there can be no exaggeration.

Dear Students and Teachers,

The successes achieved at the Student Olympics prove that the often lamented Hungarian education system is still capable of keeping up with the world's best. The question is whether we can walk at a comfortable pace or need to quicken our step to be able to preserve our illustrious position. In my view, there is consensus in Hungary regarding the fact that the opportunities for ambling have been depleted, its time is indeed over. Your example is the strongest argument: if you want results and success, you cannot rely on a lackadaisical daily routine.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Students,

Of course, we will only really be on the right track if and when you do not only gain the congratulations of your teachers, the Olympic jury and the Prime Minister, but also those of your fellow students, meaning when you become the role models of student youth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my firm belief that I am here today in the company of people who are well aware of the last one hundred years of Hungarian history, which severely tested our nation. It was not easy living here in Hungary. Every generation set forth into the world at least once. They studies, worked, got through their student and apprentice years abroad, if they were allowed to, of course, and could cross the country's borders without hindrance. And every generation asked themselves the same question: is it worth coming home and bringing home the knowledge I have gained abroad? You too will soon face this dilemma. I know very well that many young people since then and today ask themselves this very same question. I came home, and I have set myself precisely the objective, come hell or high water, of making Hungary a country you can come home to. And not just a country you can come home to, but a country it is worth coming home to. If opportunity arises, I often quote Széchényi's famous words, according to which it is an uplifting feeling to be Hungarian, but not always rewarding.

Well, Ladies and Gentlemen,

All of us who are gathered here today are working together so that being Hungarian is not just an uplifting feeling, but will also be rewarding in future. Not in the way they do it in countries that are oil billionaires, where everyone is automatically entitled to receive money without having to work, but so that instead of free money, every young person in Hungary is given or rather can find an opportunity in Hungary. I'm sure you know, or at least can imagine, how much work is needed and what a hugely difficult challenge it must be to transform an impoverished and ransacked country into the land of opportunity.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have already taken the first steps. This is not a campaign event, so I will refrain from listing the well-known economic figures. I shall only highlight one: that this is the first time in ten years that the level of employment among women and young people in Hungary has increased. This is also an encouraging sign for you.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

And what is perhaps even more important is that Hungary has changed to its own advantage; today it stands up for itself, holds its argument and, if needed, it joins forces and acts. Well, this is the kind of thing we are also expecting for you, Ladies and Gentlemen. We need to work together if we are to overcome floods, achieve growth and create more jobs. Just as your successes also primarily require working together: working together with your teachers, with your parents and with your fellow students. If you had not trusted in yourselves and in the strength of solidarity, you would hardly be here today. And what is true in small scale, what is true in all of our personal lives, believe me, is also true in large scale, in the life of the nation. I am glad that the Hungarians are beginning to regain their confidence and their self-esteem is being slowly restored, and as a result we are able to provide you, our youth, with more and more encouragement, hope and inspiration.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Hungary has before it a bright and promising future, and so do you.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

But I must also admit that I would be glad to be in your place. I would be happy to be young again today. And not only because it is better to be young than to be an ageing young man, but also because Hungary and the whole of Europe is approaching an exciting and inspirational era. I am convinced that a period of increased success will follow in the life of Hungary, and perhaps also Europe. It is my firm belief that great opportunities will soon open for the Hungarian spirit and for Hungarian knowledge. The whole world, including our immediate home, Europe, is in need of renewal, and I am convinced that time will indeed force these changes sooner rather than later. And in such times of change, advances in the world are always achieved by those who search for new paths. And if we Hungarians have ever been excellent at anything, it is searching for new paths. We are all used to the fact that being Hungarian in Europe and the Carpathian basin is a historical puzzle, which each generation must solve for themselves. It is my firm belief, dear students, that we Hungarians are capable of viewing the world like perhaps no other, and are capable of noticing phenomena and relationships that others perhaps cannot, because the puzzle and question of being Hungarian is one that must be solved here in Hungary by each generation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

You have provided the brightest examples of these capabilities. You, who study and compete, who aim to achieve outstanding results and who have gained the acknowledgement of the world, have our respect and our thanks. You, of whom we can be proud, and who have shown that we are among the frontrunners in physics, chemistry and philosophy, and that we are among the best in mathematics, computing and geography and are a force to be reckoned with in these fields, have our respect and our thanks. Your teachers, coaches and mentors have our respect and our thanks, and your parents, who have helped you to be here through lots of work, love, patience and dedication, also have out utmost respect. I would also like to encourage you all to carry on and feel free to overtake your coaches! Believe me, every teacher wants their students to go further, for the next generation to be even more successful. I would also like to say to you, go, see the world, study, and work, but do not forget that we are here and are waiting for you at home. The Academy also deserves our thanks and acknowledgement for beginning this process of renewal, which was guided by the principle of excellence, the desire to encourage scientific results and increase efficiency and the principle of consistency. In other words, thank you to the Academy for launching the Momentum Programme, which may also be attractive to you [students] in the upcoming decades.

Dear Students,

In closing, my wish for you is that you become the perpetuators of the restless and pioneering Hungarian spirit and the representatives of the greatness of Hungary and the Hungarian nation. If this happens, then, as the Constitution also says, you will make Hungary great once again. We trust in you! Congratulations to all of you!

(Prime Minister's Office)