In a letter sent to his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki, Orban greeted Poland and its people on the centennial of national independence, Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported on Thursday, citing a spokesman for the Hungarian leader.
Orban was quoted as saying in his letter that the centenary of independence was an important milestone for the Polish nation, which boasts a history going back a millennium.
Orban also said that Poland and his own country were both aware of the importance of fighting for independence, according to the hungarytoday.hu website.
He added that, while Poles and Hungarians now live in free and independent countries, “the storms of history are still heavily beating around” and their independence “is subject to heavy attacks,” the Hungarian website reported.
Close allies under fire from Brussels
Poland and Hungary are close allies in the European Union. Both have been accused by critics or eroding democratic checks and balances, charges which they have denied. Both countries have been critical of Brussels’ policies on issues such as migration.
Orban in December vowed his country would block any move by the European Union to punish Poland over sweeping changes to its judiciary.
Orban was speaking after the European Commission earlier that month took the unprecedented step of triggering Article 7 of the EU Treaty against Poland, stepping up pressure on Warsaw over controversial changes to the judicial system by the country’s ruling conservatives.
Orban in April voiced gratitude to Poland’s leaders for their support after his third consecutive election win.
Poland’s foreign ministry in September voiced “concern” after Eurodeputies backed a plan to trigger a punitive procedure against Hungary amid accusations of flouting EU rules on democracy, civil rights and corruption.
Poland regained independence on November 11, 1918, the day World War I ended, after 123 years of partition by Russia, Austria and Prussia.
The 100th anniversary of Poland regaining independence was celebrated with festivities at home and abroad during this past weekend.
(gs/pk)
Source: IAR, hungarytoday.hu