Speech of the Prime Minister of the CR Mirek Topolánek on the Occasion of opening of the Tourism Fair in Budapest on 29th March 2007

Dear Minister, dear ladies, dear gentlemen,

I always give myself up to daydreaming when Hungary is mentioned. I remember those days under the totalitarian regime when I wanted to enjoy really high-quality holiday somewhere I was allowed to go and for price I could afford taking into consideration my salary of an engineer; and Hungary was an excellent choice. Lake Balaton, Hungarian salami and sausages, Barack brandy, wine, goulash, perkelt, halaslé, famous Hungarian hogs of puszta – who would not know all that? I was always astonished by high quality of Hungarian services. Certainly, it was because they were mostly private even under communist regime.
But it was not the only one reason, I am sure. It is quite evident that Hungarians really love their country and it is proved in the sphere of tourism whether it concerns the European metropolis Budapest, or puszta, Lake Balaton or very popular gastronomic tours. Label "Made in Hungary" is noticeable everywhere and it is a guarantee of quality.
We Czechs like Hungary. And I am very pleased that in spite of the fact our compatriotic community is small in Hungary (just several tens of persons), there is Hungarian Circle of Friends Bohemia (Bohémia Baráti Kör), which even publishes its own and very good magazine, and which gained in 2003 the award of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Gratias Agit for its contribution to the promotion of the Czech Republic in Hungary. A very interesting society is the Order of Prague Beer Knights (Pragai Sörlovagrend), which organizes, together with the Czech Centre, annual festival of the Czech culture "Bohemia Festival".
There are more Hungarians in the Czech Republic, about 20 000 of them. Union of Hungarians living in the Czech Republic organizes annually Days of Hungarian Culture and publishes a magazine Prágai Tükör - Prague Mirror. I am glad that this union, according to information I have, regards situation of the Hungarian minority in the Czech Republic as good. The Czech Republic is the 10th biggest trade partner of Hungary. And I hope that all of you will be striving after improving this position. Anyway, it is true that there are no problems regarding our economic and political relationships. On the contrary, we are often allies at negotiations on the level of the European Union.
Now we have common interest to enforce factual and 1OO% liberalization of services. Just in this area, both Hungary and the Czech Republic, have a lot what to offer our European neighbours. We jointly succeeded in enforcing fulfilment of the original deadline for accession to the Schengen area. Removal of frontier bars will also simplify tourist exchange. Removal of all barriers that exist in Europe will be the main motto of the Czech Presidency of the EU in 2009. And I believe that Hungary will support this effort. We will firmly support Hungarian industry and culture through consumption of those famous products, which I have mentioned. I certainly will, speaking for myself.
I have not mentioned concrete economic cooperation, whether on the level of firms, chambers of commerce, regions or governments. But we would have to be here by the evening. I think that Czech and Hungarian entrepreneurs are speaking common language. And therefore allow me in conclusion to note briefly that we do not have Lake Balaton and the Barack brandy, but Prague is nice and the Pilsner beer is drinkable. Come and visit us in return!
Thank you for your attention.