President Tamás Sulyok has expressed the solidarity of the entire Hungarian nation with the residents of Praid (Parajd, in central Romania) at a press conference at the entrance to the local salt mine on Sunday.
Sulyok acknowledged the fears of locals impacted by flooding that has threatened the mine, a major tourist attraction, and said they could count on support.
He thanked Hungarian Interchurch Aid for assisting the residents of Praid.
President Sulyok said the entire Hungarian nation shared the pain of the local community. From that pain will come strength for rebuilding, he added, pledging support for residents to find their future.
The president also paid visits to Târgu Mures (Marosvásarhely), Lunca de Sus (Gyimesfelsőlok) and Ghimes-Faget (Gyimesbükk), on an official visit to Transylvania.
In Târgu Mures, the president visited the Transylvanian Heritage House, in Lunca de Sus he paid a visit to the Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Theological High School, and in Ghimes-Faget he met Father Jozsef Salamon in the Holy Body and Blood of Christ Parish.
After visiting the Transylvanian Heritage House, Sulyok held informal talks with its head, Laszlo Kelemen, Ferenc Peter, the head of the council of Mures County, Mihaly Levente Kovacs, the acting mayor, and Attila Csibi, the managing director of the local chapter of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ).
Preisdent Sulyok attended the Pentecost mass in Sumuleu Ciuc (Csiksomlyo) on Saturday.
At the Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Theological High School, the president was greeted by Father Lajos Berszan, the school’s founder, before watching a play on the history of the institution performed by students.
President Sulyok then met and spoke with the students, answering several of their questions.
Asked what motivates him in his job, the president said it was "always motivating to greet a new day", but "the most important motivators are family, friends and soulmates".