President János Áder has called for putting aside international disputes and taking action to combat terrorism and boost safety throughout 2017.
President Áder noted in a speech at Budapest’s Palace of Arts that in 1968 Pope Paul VI had chosen New Year’s Day to be the World Day of Peace.
The president said Paul VI’s message emphasized individual responsibiity because peace cannot be reduced to a balance of power between enemies and that it can only be achieved through constant work.
Addressing the event on behalf of the diplomatic community, Apostolic Nuncio to Hungary Alberto Bottari de Castello pointed out the humanitarian crisis caused by the unprecedented wave of migrants affecting Europe. This still poses immense challenges to nations in the continent while requiring them to find common solutions, he said.