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President Ilves to the Hungarian Head of State: above all, we are united by Europe
20.06.2013
"Estonia and Hungary – two good allies – are bound by Finno-Ugric roots and a similar recent past. However, above all, we are united by Europe," told the President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, at a meeting with the President of Hungary, János Áder, who arrived on a state visit.
"The problems of the European Union and the eurozone cannot be blamed on the European Union or the eurozone but lie firmly with some countries that have violated the common rules instead of abiding by them," emphasised President Ilves.
According to the President, Europe needs responsibility and a commitment to common goals.
"This is exactly what Hungary has demonstrated by pledging to contribute, from 2015 onwards, to the air security mission of the Baltic states and by becoming a full member of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn," told President Ilves.
At the meeting of the two head of states, Hungary's proposal to establish a foundation for coping with catastrophes in the European Union, made at the Central European summit a week ago, was also discussed.
According to President Ilves, instead of only arguing over a CO2 quota, Europe must really start thinking of ways to help countries that become victims of disasters such as extensive floods that result from climatic changes.
President Áder acknowledged the economic policy that has brought Estonia success and characterised it with the words "simplicity, clarity, entrepreneurial friendliness", and he also acknowledged our IT efforts, seeing this sphere as an important opportunity for co-operation between Estonia and Hungary. When discussing the European Union neighbourhood policy, the Estonian Head of State hoped that the Association Agreement and Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine will be signed this November, at the Eastern Partnership summit, and the same agreements will be initialised with Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.
Presidents Ilves and Áder confirmed their willingness to offer continued support to the cultural attempts of Finno-Ugric nations, by reaffirming their duty to support the Finno-Ugric nations that live in Russia and enrich the world with language, culture and the traditions of small nations. During his two-day state visit, President János Áder will also meet with the Speaker of the Riigikogu, Ene Ergma, and the Prime Minister, Andrus Ansip, and will visit the University of Tartu and the Hungarian Institute in Estonia. He will also place a wreath at the Statue of Liberty of the War of Independence.
This evening, President Ilves and Evelin Ilves will give an official dinner in honour of President Áder and his spouse, Anita Herczegh.
Office of the President
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