Marking the 66th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution and freedom fight of 1956, the Hungarian Embassy in Zagreb hosted a reception for a wide range of guests of the Croatian diplomatic corps, having Mrs Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, State Secretary for Europe as guest of honour.
In his speech H.E. Dr. Csaba Demcsák, Ambassador of Hungary to Croatia reminded that year 1956 is a symbol of hope and the desire for freedom for the Hungarian nation. Although the ’56 revolution ended in severe retaliation, with the arrival of Soviet tanks, the deeds of the heroes and martyrs of the revolution opened the first crack in the Soviet empire, which 30 years later opened the way to a better world. H. E. Ambassador Demcsák said he was proud that 30 years ago Hungary was one of the first countries to recognize the independent Republic of Croatia and ever since has been a sincere friend and supporter of Croatia’s efforts to become a member of NATO, the European Union and now the Schengen Area.
State Secretary Andreja Metelko-Zgombić said that the neighbouring Croatia and Hungary are having excellent cooperation in the area of economy, tourism and minority issues and the two countries are working towards the same goals on the level of the European Union.
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As a tribute to the memory of the 1956 Hungarian freedom fight, the water columns of the fountain (Fontane Zagreb) at the National University Library, on the night of 23 October were covered in the national tricolors of the Hungarian flag.