Romanian PM Dacian Ciolos said the statements made by Hungarian PM Viktor Orban on Thursday, in Satu Mare, are “election driven, having political objectives,” government spokesman Liviu Iolu has said.
“Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos believes the statements made by the Hungarian PM Viktor Orban in Satu Mare, preceded by other statements made by high rank Hungarian officials regarding the National Day of Romania, are unladylike and inappropriate,” Liviu Iolu said during a briefing at Victoria Palace.
Iolu added that PM Ciolos believes “the Hungarian Premier should prove more reluctance in making such statements.”
“The respect for the national values and symbols of a country are part of the set of values on which the European Union and NATO are based, of which both Romania and Hungary are part of,” Iolu stressed.
While in Satu Mare, northern Romania on Thursday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the Foreign Ministry in Budapest was right for not allowing the Hungarian officials to attend the Romanian National Day celebrations on December 1st, explaining that the Magyars have no reason to celebrate on this day. Orban argued that this is an honest attitude also to the Romanians.
“I am a traditionalist and I think that sincerity is the best method, even if sore points are at stake. Here we have a diplomatic sore point, but it’s better to sincerely assume the conflict than being double-faced. Magyars have no reason to celebrate on December 1st, so they don’t celebrate, which is an honest attitude to the Romanians as well, for at least we don’t lie to them. I believe that the Magyar diplomacy was right when choosing the honest, sincere way,” Hungarian PM Orban stated.
Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó said last month that the Hungarian people has no reason to celebrate December 1, the National Day of Romania, banning the diplomats from attending the celebrations related to this event.