President meets Hungarian diaspora representatives in Zurich

At the event Novak said that Hungary and Switzerland have longstanding and close ties which she said the two countries want to further strengthen.

The president said she has high respect for Switzerland for its system of direct democracy as well as its ability to safeguard and strengthen its sovereignty and independence.

Novak revisited her childhood memories of Switzerland and pointed out the contributions of Hungarian emigrants to the country’s life and economy.

She expressed thanks to the Swiss people for their support and understanding towards Hungarians and also thanked the Hungarian diaspora organisations for their work.

Participants at the meeting included representatives of the Hungarian House Foundation, Kulturungar Basel and the Hungarian Associations of Bern and Zurich.

Laszlo Szennyessy, president of the Hungarian House Foundation, said Novak was the first president to visit and meet Hungarian organisations in Switzerland to learn about their work and the situation of Hungarians in the country.

On Wednesday, the Hungarian president paid a working visit to Lichtenstein to hold talks with Prime Minister Daniel Risch. She also met Heredity Prince Alois and his wife to discuss traditional family values and the importance of family protection.

On Thursday, Novak is scheduled to address the Swiss Economic Forum and meet later National Council President Martin Candinas, President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset and Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee.