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The President of the Republic met the Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Hungary04.06.2003
President Arnold Rüütel today at Kadriorg met with the Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Hungary, Katalin Szili.
The President of the Republic had met Mrs Szili already earlier, during his state visit to Hungary in September 2002. President Rüütel expressed his delight at seeing her again, and thanked Hungary for its support having unanimously ratified the Treaty on Accession of Estonia to NATO. Mrs Szili voiced opinion that President Rüütel's visit to Hungary had significantly contributed to the development of relations between our two countries.
The interlocutors expanded on the topic of both countries shortly joining the European Union. The President of the Republic gave an overview of Estonia's preparations for the referendum in autumn. The Chairwoman of Hungarian National Assembly spoke about her experience of how the referendum had been carried out in Hungary, and emphasized that, as to the future, there were no alternatives to a united Europe.
The Estonian Head of State and Mrs Szili shared the view that the accession of both countries to the EU would give their relations in all areas a new dimension. President Rüütel also stressed the need for further promotion of economic relations between the two countries.
On top of that, future cooperation in the European Union was under discussion. The Estonian Head of State found that to the vote of small countries in the European Union should be given as much weight as to the vote of big countries: this would establish a precedent making bigger countries consider small countries more elsewhere in the world too.
Mrs Szili opined that, in parallel with the European Unions role growing, the role of national parliaments should grow as well, which would increase the importance of parliament members elected by the people. President Rüütel agreed with this view.
The President of the Republic expressed opinion that the Congress of Finno-Ugric Peoples scheduled to take place in Estonia, in 2004, would significantly contribute to the development of relations between our two countries. Mrs Szili, as well, acknowledged the importance of the congress and assured that Hungary would be represented at the highest possible level there.
Office of the President
Kadriorg, June 4, 2003
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