„Hungary is the Work of Our King Saint Stephen, the Founder of the State”

“We have come a long way over 1,000 years. Looking back from today, this way seems quite self-evident, but it has not been so", the Minister said at the ceremony held in the Stefánia Cultural and Leisure Center. “Often the life-or-death issues hung by a thread, but there have always been some fearless men and women who undertook the struggle, fighting very often against heavy odds for themselves and for their families, for their homes and habitations, for their country and nation. They did what they owed to themselves, each other and the community. They should be thanked for our being present here today."

The Minister stressed that the system of national defence in Hungary has taken huge steps forward and made huge progress in the last two years. Among the results are the foundation of the National University of Public Service, the establishment of a NATO compatible system of defence administration and the volunteer reserve system. The changes in mentality and attitude are, however, may be even more significant. “All these successes do credit to the joint work done by the personnel of the Hungarian Defence Forces and the staff of the Ministry of Defence. That is your work. The nation is beginning to fully understand that there is a need for national defence, for the renewal of the system of national defence, and more and more people feel that they must do something to further this cause themselves."

On the occasion of Hungary’s national day, several medals and tokens of appreciation were presented at the ceremony to soldiers and civilians who work for the Hungarian Defence Forces with selfless commitment – for the first time this year, in the presence of their families.