President Čaputová received President Katalin Novák of Hungary on Friday 30 September 2022 during her first official visit to Slovakia. 

The president noted that Slovakia and Hungary have been connected by a common history and culture, that we were crucial business partners for each other and that we were also connected by our citizens who claim their Hungarian nationality, just as our minority in Hungary claims their Slovak nationality.  

"However, we need to maintain a constructive dialogue concerning topics on which we disagree, regarding certain historical issues and some unilateral support, and the purchase of land and real estate. The fact that an open dialogue concerning these issues are taking place between us is a positive sign. We are building bridges, symbolic ones as well as actual, cross-border bridges, because there is still a shortage of this type of infrastructure. Each new connection strengthens our border regions."

The president emphasized that both countries have faced unprecedented security and energy crises caused by Russia and clearly condemn Russian aggression.  In her opinion, it is in the vital interests of European countries to support Ukraine, because it has become obvious today that without EU and NATO unity, Russia would also treat our region much more aggressively.
"The fact that we already have connections with Hungary, which allow us to better diversify our electricity, gas and oil supplies, is good and we need to continue in this direction. It will help us to manage the pressure that Russia imposes on us and Europe."

In connection with the issue related to increased illegal migration, according to the president, the priority for Slovakia is to avoid restricting free movement within Schengen and to block the introduction of more stringent checks on our common borders. However, this requires addressing issues related to the protection of outer Schengen border with the Western Balkans, which is one of the main migration routes, at the EU level as well.

The president considers it immensely important to adhere to democratic rules. "Annual reports of the European Commission on the state of the rule of law are therefore an instrument of self-reflection, shortcomings and progress for us. The fact that we have also adopted tools for adhering to these rules in the EU is good."

Both Presidents will soon meet at the V4 summit in Bratislava. "It is crucial for Slovakia that the V4 is perceived as a constructive format and not as an agent which weakens or divides the EU. I will discuss this and how to jointly face the crises at hand with President Novák and our other colleagues in Bratislava on 11 October. I look forward to the continuation of our dialogue."