HUNGARIAN CONSULATE GENERAL OPENED IN OSIJEK

OSIJEK, Jan 26 (Hina) - A Hungarian consulate general was opened on Saturday in the eastern Croatian town of Osijek as the first permanent diplomatic office in the town. The consulate was opened by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who said the opening of the consulate was proof that war suffering was over for Croatia as well as that Hungary was more mature and stronger in terms of culture and economy. Apart from helping Hungarians and promoting cooperation between the two countries, the consulate also has a symbolic meaning for the Hungarian minority, he said. The Hungarian community in Croatia is given less attention because Croatian-Hungarian government relations are probably the best ones in the region, Orban said, adding that being a Hungarian during the war in Croatia was not easy. Thanks to the cooperation between the two governments, time has come to promote development in the region, he said, announcing Hungarian investments in Croatia. In two years Hungary will join the European Union, which will provide new opportunities for Hungarians in Croatia as well. I hope the consulate general will help them use those opportunities, he said. Croatian Assistant Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic Kurelec said the opening of the consulate was an important step in the promotion of the already excellent relations between the two countries. She recalled that before the opening of the Osijek consulate, Hungary only had honorary consulates in Rijeka and Split. Orban handed Croatian Hungarians the first cards granting members of the Hungarian diaspora various privileges in Hungaria. Orban will also visit the Hungarian Cultural Centre in Osijek and attend mass at the Calvinist church in Korodj and meet local residents. (hina) rml