Poland, Hungary celebrate centuries of friendly ties

Poland’s Andrzej Duda and Hungary’s Janos Ader were expected to take part in events in the south-central Polish city of Kielce on the eve of Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day.

Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day, established by the parliaments of both countries and observed every year on March 23, has been marked alternately in Poland and Hungary since 2007.

Last year, President Duda flew to Hungary to attend celebrations in the city of Veszprem 110 km southwest of the capital Budapest.

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki last Friday took part in commemorations in Budapest of the 171st anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, a day observed as a national holiday in that country.

Highlighting centuries of Polish-Hungarian friendship, Morawiecki said at the time that the two nations "always fought for freedom together in the past" and that they "want to fight together for a better future."

Poland and Hungary are close allies in the European Union. They also work together as part of a regional cooperation platform known as the Visegrad Group.

Public broadcaster Polish Radio last Friday aired a wide range of reports from Budapest and programmes focusing on the culture and history of Hungary to coincide with that country’s national holiday.

(gs)

Source: IAR