Hungarian Minority in Romania: Opening of New Consulate of Hungary in Miercurea Ciuc
”The Consulate in Miercurea Ciuc is important for both Hungary and Romania, but most of all to the Hungarians in Transylvania, for the Seklers, since it is through the Consulate that we come closer to Hungary”, Béla Markó, the President of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (DAHR) and Deputy Prime-Minister of Romania said at the inauguration of the Consulate of Hungary in Miercurea Ciuc, on the 12th of March, 2006. He said that Romania and Hungary needed each other, especially since Hungary is already a member of the European Union and Romania is on the point of becoming a Member State. Both states are in the same region, thus cooperation is much more important for them than competition and animosity. “It is of fundamental importance for us, Hungarians in Romania to have the tightest of relations with Hungary, to be able to be together with Hungary in our language, our culture, our dreams and our projects”, Béla Markó said.
“Hungary, bearing in mind its own interests as well, will do everything to support Romania to fulfill its commitments needed to accede and become full fledged member of the EU” Ferenc Somogyi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary said before opening the building of the Hungarian Consulate to the public. He said that the establishment of the Consulate in Miercurea Ciuc carried a positive message in the relations between Hungary and Romania. Also, the new institution, which came as a result of an agreement of the two states that was reached in October of last year, contributes, in the larger framework of bilateral relations, to the development of regional and local cooperation, Minister Somogyi added. He stressed the role of the DAHR in this process and pointed out that the DAHR, being part of the governing coalition, possesses several opportunities and openings to influence the official policy of Romania, thus contributing to a continuous development of bilateral relations.
Several Deputies and Senators and local council-members took part in the inauguration, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, H.E. Mr. Ferenc Somogyi, the Ambassador of Hungary in Romania, H.E. Mr. János Terényi, the two General Consuls of Hungary from Cluj and Miercurea Ciuc, Mr. Áron Cseh andMr. Béla Szabó respectively, the mayor of Miercurea Ciuc, Mr. Róbert Ráduly, the president of the local council, Mr. Levente Bunta.
Extract from: The Bulletin of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (DAHR)
