President László Sólyom and his entourage drove from Budapest to the Székely region of Transylvania on Sunday after Romanian authorities failed to issue a permit for his plane to land at Tirgu Mures on Sunday.
Romanian authorities said that Sólyom wanted to fly to Romania on a military plane in an unusual way, and this is why they advised him against visiting the Székely region.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry summoned the Hungarian ambassador on Friday and told him that Sólyom’s planned visit would not send a signal “consistent with the strategic partnership of the two countries”. The ambassador replied that Romania’s opposition to the visit sends a message that is not consistent with the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Romanian ambassador was in turn summoned to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry to explain the Romanian move. It was after this that the landing permit was revoked.
Foreign Minister Kinga Göncz said on Saturday that the ministry had not received an acceptable explanation from Romania for denying the landing permit. “If the story is that the Hungarian President is not welcome on a Hungarian national day, then it is unacceptable,” she declared.
She said the ministry will assess the situation today and expects to summon the Romanian ambassador again today.
Sólyom had planned to fly to Transylvania on Sunday following March 15 commemorations in Budapest, but decided after the landing permit was revoked to travel by car on Saturday, returning to Budapest by Sunday morning.
Speaking in the village of Nyerges-tetõ Saturday afternoon, Sólyom said the most important thing is that he was able to celebrate together with the Székely people, despite all obstacles. He said a national holiday is possible only if ordinary people take it to heart. “Speaking to reporters, he described the cancellation of the permit as “weird” and “unfriendly” and said the matter will have to be cleared up by the two foreign ministries.
The President’s retinue was submitted to a thorough check at the Romanian border, according to state news agency MTI.
Romanian President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Emil Boc sent their best wishes in a message to ethnic Hungarians.
