Magyar: I Want to Resolve Issue of Benes Decrees

Budapest, 13 April (TASR-correspondent) - The prime ministers of Slovakia and Hungary must strive to achieve the best possible relations, Peter Magyar, the chairman of the Tisza party, which won the Hungarian parliamentary elections on Sunday (12 April) stated at a press conference on Monday, TASR's special correspondent in Budapest reported on the same day. Slovak Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said on Monday that he's ready for intensive cooperation with the new Hungarian prime minister, whom he also congratulated on his election victory. Fico expressed his interest in friendly relations with Budapest on social media. Magyar noted that although Fico and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini have been and remain close allies of Viktor Orban, it is essential in the interest of Hungarian nationals living in Slovakia to maintain the best possible bilateral relations and cooperation within the Visegrad Group (V4: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia). Magyar added, however, that certain issues need to be resolved. "In the European Union in 2026, it is by no means acceptable to take land from Hungarians and then fail to compensate them, to make distinctions between Slovak and Slovak citizens, and to threaten those who dare to criticise the Benes Decrees with imprisonment," said Magyar, according to the telex.hu website, adding that he believes the majority of Slovaks share this view. The Tisza chairman will also strive to maintain the best possible relations with Slovak leaders. "Robert Fico is an experienced politician, so I think we'll be able to reach an agreement," concluded Magyar. am