Luncheon Hosted by the Speaker of the National Assembly

Budapest, Monday, November 24, 2008

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for your generous introduction. My husband and I are especially touched by your warm welcome. It is good to be in the country of Franz Liszt, Dennis Gábor and Robert Capa.

I am very excited to be addressing you here, in the National Assembly’s magnificent chamber, as it reflects your rich history and promising future.

It is here, in this chamber, that the values that drive the Hungarian people are asserted: freedom, tolerance, respect for human rights and the promotion of democracy.

Our visit to the Republic of Hungary confirms the fraternal ties between the people of our two countries, the quality of the bilateral relationships between Hungary and Canada, and our successful collaboration in various multilateral organizations, including La Francophonie—which held its latest Summit in the City of Québec last month—and NATO, which has our armed forces working side by side to help secure and rebuild Afghanistan.

Fifty-two years ago, Canada opened its doors to thousands of Hungarian refugees fleeing Soviet oppression. Over 40 000 of your fellow citizens chose to start a new life in Canada.

We are proud of the contribution they and their children have made to Canada’s reputation and enrichment; take, for example, the internationally acclaimed singer Alanis Morissette, whose mother, a teacher, chose to settle in Canada after the 1956 Revolution.

Madam Speaker, a little over a year ago, you led a delegation to Canada made up of several parliamentarians who are here today, as a follow-up to the visit made by a delegation of Canadian parliamentarians to Hungary in 2003. I also had the honour of welcoming President Sólyom in Ottawa in April 2007.

These visits, including the one I am currently making, are opportunities to maintain our dialogue and strengthen our friendships.

I hope these inter-parliamentary discussions on both sides of the Atlantic will help us find solutions to the global problems we are facing: the search for stability in several parts of the world; the fragile balance between growth and ecology; and, more recently, the ongoing financial crisis, which is a source of great concern to our citizens.

Madam Speaker, Members, it is in this spirit of solidarity that I raise my glass.

Long live the friendship between Hungary and Canada!