In Hungary, the Chancellor has underscored the importance of civil society. In a democracy it is important to appreciate the role of the opposition, of civil society and of the media, she said after a meeting with the Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Economic relations and the Ukraine crisis were also on the agenda.
At the joint press conference, the Chancellor cast her mind back to the opening of the border between Hungary and Austria 25 years ago. Germany is particularly grateful to the Hungarian people that they made this possible and thus "established an important cornerstone of German unification", declared Angela Merkel. "Today friendship and a democratic social order link our two countries," she stressed after her talks with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Angela Merkel then moved on to look at economic relations. She believes that Hungary’s macroeconomic development in recent years can point to positive achievements, she said. German industry is happy to contribute to this. She described trading relations between Germany and Hungary as extremely intensive. She believes that many jobs in Hungary have been created with the help of German investment, she said. This should continue wherever possible.
Another issue discussed was the development of civil societies. Even when one has a more than comfortable majority, as the Hungarian Prime Minister does, it is important in a democracy to appreciate the role of the opposition, of civil society and of the media, stressed Angela Merkel. She added, "Our societies thrive on the competition among them to identify the best way."
Angela Merkel and Viktor Orbán also discussed the challenges to Europe posed by the Ukraine crisis. In European policy it will be important to diversify the sources from which we procure our energy. This, however, presupposes that Europe forms a single energy market. More work is needed in this context since it has so far proved impossible to realise many plans.
Angela Merkel and Viktor Orbán agreed, "that we must endeavour to achieve a ceasefire as rapidly as possible in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia." The Minsk Protocol is a good starting point. Germany will not support Ukraine by supplying weapons, stressed Angela Merkel. She is convinced that there can be no military solution to this conflict.
Angela Merkel underlined the importance of European unity in all decisions taken: Europe is always strong when we act together, also in the face of all international challenges, said the Chancellor.
After meeting representatives of the German business community, Angela Merkel also met Hungary’s President János Áder.
In the afternoon a special honour awaited the Chancellor: at the German-language Andrássy University, where she spoke to students from various Hungarian universities, she was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Szeged. The university, which was founded in 1872, is one of the largest in Hungary.
In her address Angela Merkel underscored the importance of the European order. She finds it important that her room for manoeuvre is part of a society in which free citizens can communicate freely, free of fear and coercion, and that they are seen as partners by the government. "This form of social engagement is our strength and the foundation of our success, along with a pluralist and independent media landscape," said Angela Merkel.
At the end of her visit, the Chancellor met representatives of the Jewish community in Hungary in Budapest’s Great Synagogue. She laid a stone on the "tree of life" in the presence of Holocaust survivors.
Andrássy University is an international Hungarian university and the first and only university outside German-speaking regions to operate entirely in German. The university offers interdisciplinary courses of study in the fields of history, politics, law and economics.