Edited by Anna Popper
On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus, observed annually on 3 July, the Embassy of Belarus in Hungary hosted a festive reception at Saint George Residence, located in Budapest’s historic Castle District.
The event gathered over 40 heads of diplomatic missions and diplomats, representatives of Hungarian state institutions, the business and public sectors, members of the Belarusian community in Hungary, as well as friends and partners of the Embassy. The guests were warmly welcomed by H.E. Mr. Uladzimir Ulakhovich, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Hungary, and Mrs. Katsiaryna Ulakhovich.
The celebration began with the performance of the national anthems of Belarus and Hungary,
followed by an address by Ambassador Uladzimir Ulakhovich:
“Distinguished guests! Excellencies and members of the diplomatic corps! Your Excellency, Deputy State Secretary for the Development of Eastern Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, Mr. Ádám Stifter!
It is a great honour for me to welcome you all today at the reception on the occasion of the main state holiday of the Republic of Belarus – Independence Day.
This holiday is very special for Belarusians. I would like to remark that the independence of our country is not only a political but, above all, a human concept.
On the 3rd July, 81 years ago, our capital, Minsk, was liberated from the invaders. For every Belarusian, this sacred date is a national symbol of unity and victory in the fight for freedom.
A wise Hungarian proverb says: “He who does not honour his past, does not deserve his future”.
This year, together with many countries, Belarus celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory and the 81st anniversary of liberation. Many years have passed since then, but our people remember those events very well. Over 3 million Belarusians died in that war. In this regard, it is clear why the country’s Independence Day is celebrated on this date – when we pay tribute to our ancestors, who restored peace to our beautiful homeland.
And now, the new, independent and sovereign Belarus has been living and flourishing for 34 years. Our people have endured, built their statehood, ensured security and prosperity, social stability, and laid a solid foundation for development.
Today, Belarus looks to the future with confidence. It is a country of hospitable, talented, and hardworking people. A country with an open economy.
Belarus supplies its products to more than 180 countries worldwide. Despite unjust restrictions and illegal sanctions, the sustainable development of the country and the well-being of its people remain a genuine priority of the Belarusian state.
We can be proud that Belarus, despite the obstacles, is developing dynamically and discovering new horizons. Our machinery products are exported to over 100 countries. Our food products, with a guarantee of excellent quality, are also supplied to more than 100 countries. We maintain close and mutually respectful ties with many countries around the world – Africa, Asia, Europe, South America – especially with our strategic partners: the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, China, Egypt, the UAE, Uzbekistan, and others.
Belarus has become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and a partner country in BRICS.
This year, Belarus and Hungary celebrate 33 years of diplomatic relations. The two countries have much in common: similar values, openness of their economies, dynamism in the industrial and agricultural sectors, and a sincere desire to listen to and understand their partners. Such qualities are particularly valuable in today’s very complex international environment.
As reliable partners and good friends, Minsk and Budapest continue to build constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation in an atmosphere of trust and understanding across various fields. This includes politics, economics, humanitarian issues, and interaction within international organisations. We are grateful to Hungary for this.
I am pleased to note that, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, we have managed to reach a new level of bilateral cooperation.
I would like to emphasise that here on Hungarian soil, even though we are far from home, we feel trust and mutual respect. We see the willingness and desire to cooperate. We sense that our goals, aspirations, and values align.”
“And today, on this festive day, we thank our Hungarian friends for the opportunity to celebrate this sacred holiday with us. Nagyon köszönjük! Thank you very much!”
In his speech on behalf of the Hungarian government, Guest of Honour, Mr. Ádám Stifter, Deputy State Secretary for Eastern Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, extended heartfelt congratulations to the Belarusian people on their national day and highlighted the development of bilateral relations between Hungary and Belarus in various fields.
The reception continued in a warm and joyful atmosphere in the beautiful garden. The audience was enchanted by the musical performances of a Clarinet Quartet from the ProArtis Children’s Art School in the city of Paks. Afterwards, the guests were invited to enjoy a lavish buffet featuring a rich variety of Belarusian and international cuisine, adding the flavours of hospitality to a memorable day.
Source: Embassy of Belarus in Budapest
Photos by the Embassy of Belarus in Budapest and Diplomatic Press Agency
