Balázs Hankó, Minister for Culture and Innovation, said Hungary and Turkey share more than diplomatic ties—what binds them is a strategic alliance that spans higher education, research, family policy, and cultural cooperation. He made the remarks on Wednesday at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest during a ceremony marking the 102nd anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.
Minister Hankó emphasized that both countries are committed to protecting national sovereignty and pursuing independent decision-making. “Our close cooperation is strengthened daily by shared values and mutual respect,” he said.
He noted that the Hungarian–Turkish Cultural Year, launched to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations, featured more than 160 events and deepened mutual understanding. The collaboration continues in 2025 with the Year of Science and Innovation, which supports joint projects in artificial intelligence, digitization, intellectual property, and automated mobility.
“The Hungarian–Turkish strategic partnership holds enormous innovation potential,” Minister Hankó said, stressing the need to engage the next generation using their digital and creative language. He called for building lasting bridges between generations, inspired by the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
Hankó also highlighted education as a vital link between the two nations, with over 1,000 Turkish students currently studying in Hungary and many Hungarian students attending Turkish universities through the Pannonia mobility program. He welcomed Turkey’s designation of 2025 as the Year of Families, praising its comprehensive family policy as a foundation for societal stability.
October 29, he said, marks the birth of modern Turkey and is a lasting symbol of national independence. “We honor those who believed in the strength of the nation and whose legacy continues to inspire Turkish development and international friendship.”
The event also featured remarks by Turkish Ambassador Gülsen Karanis Eksioglu, who recalled Atatürk’s founding of a modern, democratic republic and Turkey’s remarkable progress over the past 102 years.