Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has sent his greetings to Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenković on the occasion of Statehood Day of Croatia.
“National sovereignty is one of the most important values for us here in central Europe,” PM Orbán said in the letter marking the national holiday. “We are proud that Hungary was among the first countries to assure Croatia of its support [in achieving statehood] and was also among the first countries to recognise the country’s independence,” he added. PM Orbán said that Croatia’s Schengen accession was also a common historic success for Hungary and central Europe. Eliminating the internal borders of the European community brings several new opportunities in developing ties, in economic cooperation, and also in terms of citizens’ daily lives, he added. At the same time, PM Orbán said that protecting the external borders of Schengen was a common responsibility. “We must succeed as neighbourly Schengen countries in the protection of the southern borders, and I can assure you that my country is ready to give all its support to Croatia,” PM Orbán said in his letter.