Viktor Mátis: “Our Respect and Affection for This Land and Its People Are Endless”
Hungary’s National Day was celebrated with a reception hosted by Hungarian Ambassador to Türkiye Viktor Mátis and his wife Selina Sager at the Sheraton Hotel in Ankara. The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and EU Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Zeki Levent Gümrükçü, Deputy Minister of National Defense Musa Heybet, and many representatives of the diplomatic corps. Students from Ankara Music and Fine Arts University performed the national anthems of Türkiye and Hungary.
M. FERHAT YÜKSEL
Ambassador Viktor Mátis, in his opening remarks, recalled that relations between Hungary and Türkiye were elevated to a “strategic partnership” in 2013 and to an “enhanced strategic partnership” in 2023. “With this, both countries have declared that they hold a leading place in each other’s foreign relations. We cooperate not only on a bilateral level but also work successfully together in international platforms such as the UN, NATO, OSCE, and the Organization of Turkic States. We actively support Türkiye’s accession to the EU,” he said.
ANKARA, OUR SECOND HOME
Mátis noted that trade volume between the two countries had increased two and a half times over the last decade, reaching five billion USD. He also emphasized significant progress in the fields of defense industry, culture, and education. Pointing out that the number of Hungarian diplomats serving in Ankara had risen by 50 percent over the past seven years, he added, “But everything eventually comes to an end. Since my term in Ankara will end by the summer of 2026 at the latest, this year’s National Day reception marks the last time my wife and I host you here. For my wife, my children, and myself, Ankara has become our second home. Our respect and affection for this land and its people are endless.”
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı underlined that relations between Türkiye and Hungary are “based on mutual trust and centuries-old cultural ties.” He stated, “For us, Hungary is not only a strategic partner but also a friend with whom we share a bond of the heart and a future we build together.”
Minister Yumaklı noted that bilateral relations continue to grow stronger each year, saying, “We celebrated 2024 as the Year of Culture with great success. In this spirit, we have declared 2025 as the Year of Science and Innovation. Scientific and technological cooperation will further broaden the shared horizon of our two nations.”
The evening featured traditional dishes from Hungarian cuisine, while artists from Tokaj University added color to the night with folk music and dance performances.
