Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai writes that he extends his “hand to the nation of Slovakia for a friendly handshake in the spirit of our joint future and the intention to implement our mutual interests in partnership”, in an article published today by Slovak dailies Sme and Új Szó.
“We Hungarians were happy, albeit slightly envious, when Slovakia, after some initial isolation, could pass us by in many regards through bold reforms. We could overcome the energy crisis together earlier this year. We fight together in Brussels for the special interests of new member states,” Bajnai adds.
Although Slovak intellectuals praised the article, Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected a request from Sme that he write an article in response to Bajnai. An unnamed senior politician said Fico does not want to send a message via the media when he can tell Bajnai in person on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Péter Balázs said “problems must first be solved before co-operation projects can appear.”
Meanwhile Hungarian Coalition Party chairman Pál Csáky is preparing to brief officials at the US Congress and the White House on the language act and its impact.
