76 Issue | Zarb-e-Jamhoor e-Newspaper | 17-23 Jun, 2012

Independence Day Iceland - J u n 1 7

Iceland is a Nordic European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The country has a population of about 320,000 and a total area of 103,000 km2 (40,000 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Reykjavík, with the surrounding areas in the southwestern region of the country being home to two-thirds of the country's population. Iceland is volcanicallyand geologically active. The interior mainly consists of a plateau characterised by sand fields, mountains and glaciers, while many glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle.

According to Landnámabók, the settlement of Iceland began in AD 874 when the chieftain Ingólfur Arnarson became the first permanent Norse settler on the island.Others had visited the island earlier and stayed over winter. Over the following centuries, Norsemen settled Iceland, bringing with them thralls (slaves) of Gaelic origin. From 1262 to 1918 Iceland was part of the Norwegian and later the Danish monarchies. Until the 20th century, the Icelandic population relied largely on fisheries and agriculture, and the country was one of the poorest and least developed in the world. Industrialisation of the fisheries and aid from the Marshall Plan brought prosperity in the years after World War II, and by the 1990s it was one of the world's wealthiest countries. In 1994, Iceland became party to the European Economic Area, which made it possible for the economy to diversify into economic and financial services.

Iceland has a free market economy with relatively low taxes compared to other OECDcountries, while maintaining a Nordic welfare system that provides universal health careand tertiary education for its citizens. In recent years, Iceland has been one of the wealthiest and most developed nations in the world. In 2011, it was ranked as the 14th most developed country in the world by the United Nations' Human Development Index,and the fourth most productive country per capita. In 2008, the nation's entire banking system systemically failed, resulting in substantial political unrest. Though it remains one of the world's most economically and politically stable nations, Iceland has yet to fully recover from the crisis.

Icelandic culture is founded upon the nation's Norse heritage. Most Icelanders are descendants of Norse and Gaelic settlers. Icelandic, a North Germanic language, is closely related to Faroese and some West Norwegian dialects.

The country's cultural heritage heritage includes traditional Icelandic cuisine, poetry, and the medieval Icelanders' sagas. Currently, Iceland has the smallest population among NATO members and is the only one with no standing army.

History

Settlement and Commonwealth 874 – 1262:

According to both Landnámabók and Íslendingabók, Irish monks known as the Papar had lived in Iceland before the Norse settlers arrived, possibly members of a Hiberno-Scottish mission. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed the ruins of a cabin in Hafnir on the Reykjanes peninsula, and carbon dating indicates that it was abandoned somewhere between 770 and 880, suggesting that Iceland was populated well before 874. This archaeological find may also indicate that the monks left Iceland before the Norse arrived.

The first known permanent Norse settler was Ingólfr Arnarson, who built his homestead in Reykjavík in the year 874.

Ingólfr was followed by many other emigrant settlers, largely Norsemen and their Irish slaves. By 930, most arable land had been claimed and the Althing, a legislative and judiciary parliament, was initiated to regulate the Icelandic Commonwealth.Christianity was adopted around 999–1000, although Norse paganism persisted among some segments of the population for several years after.

The Commonwealth lasted until 1262, when the political system devised by the original settlers proved unable to cope with the increasing power of Icelandic chieftains.

Middle Ages to the Early Modern Era 1262–1814:

The internal struggles and civil strife of the Sturlung Era led to the signing of the Old Covenant in 1262, which brought Iceland under the Norwegian crown. Possession of Iceland passed to Denmark-Norway around 1380, when the kingdoms of Norway, Denmark and Sweden were united in the Kalmar Union. In the ensuing centuries, Iceland became one of the poorest countries settled by Europeans. Infertile soil, volcanic eruptions, and an unforgiving climate made for harsh life in a society where subsistence depended almost entirely on agriculture. The Black Death swept Iceland twice, first in 1402–04 and again in 1494–95,. The former outbreak killed 50% to 60% of the population, and the latter 30% to 50%.

Around the middle of the 16th century, King Christian III of Denmark began to imposeLutheranism on all his subjects.

Jón Arason, the last Catholic bishop of Hólar, was beheaded in 1550 along with two of his sons. The country subsequently became fully Lutheran. Lutheranism has since remained the dominant religion. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Denmark imposed harsh trade restrictions on Iceland, while pirates from several countries raided its coasts.

A great smallpox epidemic in the 18th century killed around a third of the population. In 1783 the Laki volcano erupted, with devastating effects. The years following the eruption, known as the Mist Hardships (Icelandic: Móðuharðindin), saw the death of over half of all livestock in the country, with ensuing famine in which around a quarter of the population died.

Independence movement 1814–1918:

In 1814, following the Napoleonic Wars, Denmark-Norway was broken up into two separate kingdoms via the Treaty of Kiel. Iceland, however, remained a Danish dependency. Throughout the 19th century, the country's climate continued to grow worse, resulting in mass emigration to the New World, particularlyManitoba in Canada. About 15,000 people out of a total population of 70,000 left.

However, a new national consciousness had arisen, inspired by romantic and nationalist ideas from mainland Europe. An Icelandic independence movement took shape in the 1850s under the leadership ofJón Sigurðsson, riding on the burgeoning domestic nationalism inspired by the Fjölnismenn and other Danish-educated Icelandic intellectuals. In 1874, Denmark granted Iceland a constitution and limited home rule, which was expanded in 1904.

Kingdom of Iceland 1918–1944:

The Danish-Icelandic Act of Union, an agreement with Denmark signed on 1 December 1918 and valid for 25 years, recognized Iceland as a fully sovereign state in a personal union with the King of Denmark. The Government of Iceland established an embassy in Copenhagen and requested that Denmark should handle Icelandic foreign policy. Danish embassies around the world would display two coats of arms and two flags: those of the Kingdom of Denmark and those of the Kingdom of Iceland. During World War II, Iceland joined Denmark in asserting neutrality. After the German occupation of Den- Jón Sigurðsson, leader of the Icemark on 9 April 1940, the Althing declared that the Icelandic Govern- landic independence movement ment should assume the Danish king's duties, taking control of foreign affairs and other matters previously handled by Denmark. A month later, British Armed Forces occupied Iceland in order to stop the nation siding with the now occupied Denmark. In 1941, the occupation of Iceland was taken over by the United States so that Britain could use its troops elsewhere.

On 31 December 1943, the Act of Union agreement expired after 25 years. Beginning on 20 May 1944, Icelanders voted in a four-day plebiscite on whether to terminate the personal union with the King of Denmark and establish a republic. The vote was 97% in favour of ending the union and 95% in favour of the new republican constitution. Iceland formally became a republic on 17 June 1944, with Sveinn Björnsson as the first President.

Independent republic 1945–2003:

In 1946, the Allied occupation force left Iceland, which formally became a member of NATO on 30 March 1949, amid domestic controversy and riots. On 5 May 1951, a defence agreement was signed with the United States. American troops returned to Iceland, as the Iceland Defence Force, and remained throughout the Cold War; the US withdrew the last of its forces on 30 September 2006.

The immediate post-war period was followed by substantial economic growth, driven by industrialisation of the fishing industry and the Marshall Plan programme, through which Icelanders received the most aid per capita of any European country (at USD 209, with the war-ravaged Netherlands a distant second at USD 109). The 1970s were marked by the Cod Wars — several disputes with the United Kingdom over Iceland's extension of its fishing limits. The economy was greatly diversified and liberalised when Iceland joined the European Economic Area in 1994.

Iceland hosted a summit in Reykjavik in 1986 between United States President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, during which they took significant steps toward nuclear disarmament. Only a few years later, Iceland would become the first country to recognize the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania as they broke away from the USSR. Throughout the 1990s, the country expanded its international role and developed a foreign policy that was oriented toward humanitarian and peacekeeping causes. To that end, Iceland provided aid and expertise to various NATO-led interventions in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Iraq.

Bunker Hill Day U.S. - Jun 17

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War. The battle is named after the adjacent Bunker Hill, which was peripherally involved in the battle and was the original objective of both colonial and British troops, and is occasionally referred to as the "Battle of Breed's Hill."

On June 13, 1775, the leaders of the colonial forces besieging Boston learned that the British generals were planning to send troops out from the city to occupy the unoccupied hills surrounding the city. In response to this intelligence, 1,200 colonial troops under the command of William Prescott stealthily occupied Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill, constructed an earthen redoubt on Breed's Hill, and built lightly fortified lines across most of the Charlestown Peninsula.

When the British were alerted to the presence of the new position the next day, they mounted an attack against them. After two assaults on the colonial lines were repulsed with significant British casualties, the British finally captured the positions on the third assault, after the defenders in the redoubt ran out of ammunition. The colonial forces retreated to Cambridge over Bunker Hill, suffering their most significant losses on Bunker Hill.

While the result was a victory for the British, they suffered heavy losses: over 800 wounded and 226 killed, including a notably large number of officers. The battle is seen as an example of a Pyrrhic victory, because the immediate gain (the capture of Bunker Hill) was modest and did not significantly change the state of the siege, while the cost (the loss of nearly a third of the deployed forces) was high. Meanwhile, colonial forces were able to retreat and regroup in good order having suffered few casualties. Furthermore, the battle demonstrated that relatively inexperienced colonial forces were willing and able to stand up to regular army troops in a pitched battle.

World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought Worldwide - Jun 17

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is a United Nations observance each June 17. Its purpose is to highlight ways to prevent desertification and recover from drought. Each annual celebration has a different theme.

This day was proclaimed on January 30, 1995 by the United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/49/115.

Juneteenth (Milwaukee, Wisconsin & Texas) U.S. - Jun 19

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is a holiday in the United States honoring African American heritage by commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. State of Texas in 1865. Celebrated on June 19, the term is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, and is recognized as a state holiday or state holiday observance in 41 states of the United States.

Observation The state of Texas is widely considered the

first U.S. state to begin Juneteenth celebrations with informal observances taking place for over a century; it has been an official state holiday since 1890. It is considered a "partial staffing holiday", meaning that state offices do not close, but some employees will be using a floating holiday to take the day off. Schools are not closed, but most public schools in Texas are already into summer vacation by June 19th. Its observance has spread to many other states, with a few celebrations even taking place in other countries.

As of June 2011, 41 states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or state holiday observance; these are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

History Though Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of

January 1, 1863, it had minimal immediate effect on most slaves’ day-to-day lives, particularly in the Confederate States of America. Texas, as a part of the Confederacy, was resistant to the Emancipation Proclamation, and though slavery was very prevalent in East Texas, it was not as common in the Western areas of Texas, particularly the Hill Country, where most German-Americans were opposed to the practice. Juneteenth commemorates June 18 and 19, 1865. June 18 is the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves. On June 19, 1865, legend has it while standing on the balcony of Galveston’s Ashton Villa, Granger read the contents of “General Order No. 3”: The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.

The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

That day has since become known as Juneteenth, a name coming from a portmanteau of the words June and teenth like nineteenthand other numbers ending with -teenth.

Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets with jubilant celebrations. Juneteenth celebrations began in Texas the following year. Across many parts of Texas, freed people pooled their funds to purchase land specifically for their communities and increasingly large Juneteenth gatherings — including Houston’s Emancipation Park, Mexia’s Booker T. Washington Park, and Emancipation Park in Austin.

World Refugee Day Worldwide - Jun 20

World Refugee Day, observed June 20 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world.

History

On 4 December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 55/76 decided that, from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

African Refugee Day had been formally celebrated in several countries prior to 2000. The UN noted that the Organization of African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees is celebrated in January each year, having been instituted in 1914 by Pope Pius X.

Celebrations

From June 18 to 20 the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) commemorates World Refugee Day in Washington, DC, in order to draw the public's attention to the millions of refugees worldwide who are forced to flee their homes. Each year, UNHCR selects a theme and coordinates events across the globe.

National Day Greenland - Jun 21

World Refugee Day, observed June 20 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the situation of refugees throughout the world.

History

The area now known as Greenland was taken into Norwegian control in the 13th century, and then passed to Denmark through a union of the countries in 1380. Though little was done with Greenland initially, Denmark eventually asserted its sovereignty over the land in the 18th and 19th centuries. Though Norway tried to reclaim parts of eastern Greenland in 1933, the area remained fully under Danish control.

On May 1, 1979, Greenland was legally granted home rule

by Denmark’s national parliament. Unhappy with the European Economic Community’s regulations and bans on commercial fishing and products made from seals, Greenland left the international organization.

In late November of 2008, 75 percent of voters approved a referendum for greater autonomy, and on June 21, 2009 the referendum went into effect making Greenland responsible for its own future. While not true independence, the government of Greenland has called the referendum a major step in the direction towards independence.

TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES

National Day celebrations are marked by a variety of programs in every settlement in Greenland. The celebrations include morning songs, speeches, hoisting the national flag, and the act of “kaffemik”, a social gathering around a cup of coffee.

Apart from this there are a number of programs for entertainment like music and dance and several cultural events which portray the culture and tradition of Greenland. The national channel broadcasts news from all the towns as to how the celebrations are taking shape.

White Nights Festival begins (to mid July) Russia - Jun 22

The White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia is an annual international arts festival during the season of the midnight sun. The White Nights Festival consists of a series of classical ballet, opera and music events and includes performances by Russian dancers, singers, musicians and actors, as well as famous international guest stars. The Scarlet Sails celebration is the culmination of the White Nights season, the largest public event anywhere in Russia with the annual estimated attendance about one million people, most of whom are students from thousands of schools and colleges, both local and international.

Organised by the Saint Petersburg City Administration, the festival begins in May with the "Stars of the White Nights" at Mariinsky Theatre and ends in July. However, some performances connected to the festival take place before and after the official dates.

Numerous night-time cultural festivals, White Night festivals, have been inspired by this, in French they are called Nuit Blanche.

National Aboriginal Day Canada - Jun 21

National Aboriginal Day is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. The day was first celebrated in 1996, after it was proclaimed that year by then Governor General of Canada Roméo LeBlanc, to be celebrated on June 21 annually. Most provincial jurisdictions, however, do not recognise it as a statutory holiday.

Overview

The day of recognition came about after a series of calls for such a celebration. In 1982, the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) called for the creation of a National Aboriginal Solidarity Day to be celebrated on June 21. Slightly more than a decade later in 1995, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples recommended that a National First Peoples Day be designated. Also in that same year, a national conference of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people chaired by Elijah Harper, titled The Sacred Assembly, called for a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canada. June 21 often coincides with the summer solstice.

National Aboriginal Day is now part of a series of Celebrate Canada days, beginning with National Aboriginal Day, and followed by St-Jean Baptiste Day on June 24, Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, and concluding with Canada Day on July 1.

National Music Day France - Jun 21

The Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, is a music festival taking place on June 21.

History

The idea was first broached in 1976 by American musician Joel Cohen, then employed by the national French radio station France Musique. Cohen proposed an all-night music celebration at the moment of the summer solstice. The idea was taken up by French Music and Dance director Maurice Fleuret for Minister of Culture Jack Lang in 1981 and first took place in 1982 in Paris.

Its purpose is to promote music in two ways: Amateur and professional musicians are encouraged to perform in the streets. The slogan Faites de la musique (Make music), ahomophone of Fête de la Musique, is used to promote this goal.

Many free concerts are organized, making all genres of music accessible to the public. Two of the caveats to being sanctioned by the official Fête de la Musique organization in Paris are that all concerts must be free to the public, and all performers donate their time for free. In 2011, the festival utilized online booking site Gigmaven to organize its performers.

Despite there being a large tolerance about the performance of music by the general public of amateurs in public areas after usual hours, the noise restrictions still apply, and can cause some establishments to be forbidden to open and broadcast music out of their doors without prior authorization. So the prefectures of police in France can still forbid them to install any audio hardware in the street.

Antifascist Struggle Commemoration Day Croatia - Jun 22

Anti-Fascist Struggle Day is a national holiday and celebration in Croatia. It is celebrated on June 22, as it marks the beginning of the uprising of Croatian anti-fascist Partisans against German and Italian occupying forces, that started with the forming of the First Sisak Partisan Detachment on June 22, 1941 near Sisak, Croatia.

Ligo Day Latvia - Jun 23

Jāņi (pronounced is a Latvian festival held in the night from 23 June to 24 June to celebrate the summer solstice (Midsummer), the shortest night and longest day of the year. The day of Līgo (23 June) and the day of Jāņi (pronounced (24 June) are public holidays, and people usually spend them in the countryside. The festival's eveJāņu vakars) is held in the evening of 23 June and goes on all through the night Jāņu nakts, where people Līgo (sway) into the following day.

Jāņi is an ancient festival originally celebrated in honour a Latvian pagan deity Jānis, referred to as a "Son of God" in some ancient Latvian folksongs. Jānis is also traditionally the most common of Latvian male given names, corresponding to English name John, and everybody of the name Jānis holds a special honor on this day (Jāņi is a plural form of Jānis) and wears an oak wreath. Besides John, the name of Jānis is also etymologically linked with other names of various nations, such as Aeneas, Dionysus, Jonash, Jan, Jean, Johan, João, Ian, Ivan, Huan, and Han. The festival's current date has shifted a few days from 21 June/22 June when the summer solstice actually takes place due to its somewhat incongruous association with Saint John the Baptist's feast day, which falls on 24 June. Still, traditions of Jāņi contain no reference to Christianity or any Christian symbolism.

Jāņi is thought to be the time when the forces of nature are at their most powerful, and the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds are thinnest. In the past, evil witches were believed to be riding around, so people decorated their houses and lands with rowan branches and thorns in order to protect themselves from evil. In modern days other traditional decorations are more popular, including birch or sometimes oak branches and flowers as well as leaves, especially ferns. Women wear wreaths Ligo Day Festival made from flowers; in rural areas livestock is also decorated.

Jāņi also is thought to be the perfect time to gather herbs, because it is believed that they then have magical powers on this day. Other practices of magic in Jāņi vary from fortune-telling to ensuring productivity of crops, as well as livestock fertility. A well-known part of this celebration is searching for the mythical fern flower, though some suggest that the fern flower is a symbol of secret knowledge; today it is almost always synonymous with having sexual relationships. Young couples traditionally search for the flower and many believe there is an increase in births nine months later. (In the past, this timing was ideal for farmers.)

Another important detail is fire: A festival fire must be kept from sunset till sunrise, and various kinds of flaming light sources are used; usually these are bonfires, which traditionally people jump over to ensure prosperity and fertility.

Traditional food during Jāņi is a special type of cheese with carawayseeds, made out of curd, and the traditional drink is beer. Many people make the cheese of Jāņi themselves; a few also make their own beer.

Representatives of Latvian Emergency services often warn that Jāņi can be harmful to health because of the amounts of food and alcoholic beverages consumed, as well as maltreated fires. Additionally, accounts of drinking and driving are higher on this day than of any other in the year.

Readmission agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary (Online 11 Jun) The agreement will prevent to abuse the right of entry and visa system in the future – informed Mr Sadik Ahmetovic Bosnian Minister of Security after he and Mr Sándor Pintér Interior Minister of Hungary signed the Protocol on the readmission of persons residing without autho- Sadik Ahmetovic, Sándor Pintér (Photo: Károly risation on M o n d a y which has been adopted by the European Community and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2007.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the road to the EU, therefore preventing illegal migration, false asylum seeking and any other abuses are of high importance – emphasized the Photo: Károly Árvai Bosnian Minallowed to travel visa-free to the EU ister of Security.

Mr Sadik Ahmetovic recalled that cit- Member States. He was pleased to izens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are hear that there were not many dis-

agreements between Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina in this field.

We have established the legal bases of a practical activity by the signature of the Protocol – highlighted Mr Sándor Pintér and added: Cooperation between Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina was almost unproblematic in the field of Árvai) entry and exit.

According to EU requirements all Member States should ratify the agreement for this reason the signature became necessary.

Interior Minister of Hungary informed that 135 thousand tourists and visitors have come from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Hungary recently and they caused almost no problem.

Legal instruments and expulsion against Bosnian citizens had to be used in two cases only – he added.

HUNGARY The rule of law has been restored, PM (Online 11 Jun) At an event on Monday devoted to the work of the prosecution service in H u n g a r y, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that the rule of law has been restored in Hungary, with the justice system operating more efficiently than previously.

The Prime Minister said that ‘Gone are the days when shocking crimes went unpunished, and anyone could plan an offence expecting to get away with it. Gone too are the days when the police could indiscriminately round up large numbers of innocent, peaceful demonstrators.’ The latter was a reference to brutal police tactics in 2006 by riot squads not wearing any identifying badges – actions which the then Gyurcsány government and police authorities did nothing to prevent or punish.

Mr. Orbán added, however, that the justice system – including prosecu-

tors – still faces many challenges on the road to renewal in Hungary.

The Prime Minister said that before 2010 Hungary was in a state of disintegration, there were areas where the rule of law could not operate (or only in a limited sense), and some members of the political class felt that they were above the law. These processes undermined the moral basis of society and destroyed people's sense of security. In the course of restoring the rule of law prosecutors are prime allies of the Government.

The Prime Minister asked prosecutors to take all measures open to them under the law to deliver appropriate punishment to the guilty and to protect the innocent.

He also said that the present government is composed of a generation which respects those lawyers who contributed to their knowledge and skill.

Listing the achievements of the past two years, he said that the new Fundamental Law has clearly defined the place and role of prosecution services. The Government has established a uniform organisation for prosecutors, and specified the nonpenal tasks of prosecution services, he said, adding that Hungary's new Penal and Civil Codes will soon be complete.

The Prime Minister said his aim is for no crime to go unpunished and for no law-abiding person to be forced to live in fear. The work of prosecutors is vital in the realisation of this.

Tibor Navracsics gives an account to ParU k r a i n i a n – H u n g a r i a n B o r d e r liament of the Govt’s first 2 years in office Meeting

14 (Online Jun) Gen. Dr. Tibor Benkő, the Chief of the MoD DeStaff fence met Lt.-Gen. Vo l o d y m y r Zamana, the Chief of the General Staff of the armed of forces on Ukraine 13.

June a Heading delegation, the Hungarian Chief of Defence held official bilateral discussions with his counterpart along (photo:MoD Defence Staff) the HungarThe items on the agenda included ian–Ukrainian border. the timely tasks of the “TISA” MultiAt the meeting the two partners dis- national Engineer Battalion and the cussed the current issues of the bilat- ongoing cooperation between Huneral Ukrainian–Hungarian relations.

gary and the Ukraine in the field of education, which is based on the military-to-military relations that have developed over recent years.

After the bilatdiscuseral the sions, Hungarian dellaid egation wreaths by the World War II heroes’ memorial and the monument to the Battle of Podhering of 1848/49 the War of Independence. The program finished with a visit to the “TISA” Multinational Engineer Battalion in Nagyszőlős.

Jordan is a key partner, PM Viktor Orban 14 (Online Jun) Jordan is a key partner for Hungary in the MiddleEast, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Thursday at the ceremonial opening of the Buddha-Bar Hotel Klotild Palace in Budapest.

Budapest’s luxury new hotel with 102 was rooms in created Klotild Palace at the Pest side of Erzsébet Bridge by a corporation of business- (Fotó: Árvai Károly) men from Jorthe dan, Mellow Mood Group. The owners of the company were recently decorated with the Hungarian Gold Cross of Merit in recognition of their services rendered in the field of hotel developments in Hungary.

At the opening ceremony, Viktor Orbán said that the Hungarian Government it believed was a priority (Fotó: Árvai Károly) to open toans. wards the Arabic world. As regards This amply demonstrates, which the relations with Jordan, in addition to Arabs understand only too well, and the key partner status, the Prime Min- this is why cooperation between ister also stressed that the kingdom them and the Hungarians may be a plays a strategic role in security success, that „even a fair profit is processes in the Middle-East. He fur- worth little if there is no friendship, if ther said it is delightful that the hotel there is no heart in it”, the Prime Minindustry investors from Jordan truly ister added. He remarked he is alrespect Hungarian traditions and the ways happy to see when the locals and place an emphasis on pro- economy in Hungary offers opportuviding job opportunities for Hungari- nities not only to Hungarians but also

to foreigners.

The Prime Minister believes that the reconstruction of the Klotild Palace may bring back the cosmopoliatmostan of phere Budapest before commu„This nism. may, project perhaps, also represent the opening of a new era of success for Buthat dapest brings back the memory of the great old splenand dour times”, he said.

In his welcome speech, Jordan’s Honorary Zaid Consul said, Naffa after reminding his audience the that Hashemite of Kingdom Jordan is celethe brating 66th anniversary of its independence on this very day and relaying good the wishes of the King of Jordan, Jordan, that too, looks upon Hungary as a major strategic partner which is being visited by an increaslarge ingly number of investors and tourists from the Arabic world.

He believes this is in consequence of the fact that the Hungarian Government is open towards the Arabic world. He added that five hotels are expected to be opened in Budapest this year; three of them will be operated by the Mellow Mood Group. The Mellow Mood Group currently operates a dozen hotels in Budapest.

(Online 14 Jun) Parliament set aside one day to debate the activities of the Orbán government in its first two years in office.

Representing the Government, Deputy Prime Minister Tibor Navracsics said in his o p e n i n g speech that in 2010 the Government had entered office in the midst of an economic crisis, a crisis of confidence, and an institutional crisis.

Thanks to the Government’s work so far, however, the country will be in an economically stronger position in 2014 than it was in 2010. Government debt and the budget deficit have decreased, more people have the chance to work, social security for the general population is now stronger than it was, and the country is becoming increasingly competitive.

Mr. Navracsics said that two years ago the country was hit by a triple crisis, which all but destroyed its financial reserves and political confidence, and which led to an institutional crisis. By the spring of 2010 the system of compromises developed as part of the political transition of 1989-1990 had ceased to function.

The economic growth experienced before 2002 went into decline, and after 2004 turned towards recession.

Financial reserves fell alarmingly and the then government was unable to return the economy to the path of growth.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that although the European economic crisis only began in 2008, in Hungary it had begun in 2006, and so the European crisis found Hungary in an already weakened condition and affected it much deeper than it did other, more stable, countries. Mr. Navracsics said that by spring 2010 Hungary not only had an economic crisis, but also a crisis of confidence and morals. He mentioned how people had lost confidence in politics and

no longer believed that it served the common good, as a result of the outrageous ‘Balatonőszöd’ speech by former socialist prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, in which he admitted to a campaign of deception aimed at the electorate and the EU. The Deputy Prime Minister also said that the situation was worsened by an institutional crisis, when the SocialistLiberal coalition disintegrated in 2008, leaving a minority government in power. The crisis deepened with the fall of the Gyurcsány government in 2009.

The general loss of moral credibility made it clear that the institutional traditions formulated in 1989-1990 could not continue, and so the Orbán government opened a new chapter with its election in 2010. It created fiscal stability to deal with the economic crisis, and started to tackle the social crisis as well. The Government enacted a series of far-reaching measures to increase economic competitiveness.

In connection with reducing government debt, Mr. Navracsics pointed out that now there are only two countries in Europe where this has actually happened recently, and one of them is Hungary. Government debt has been reduced by three per cent, and Hungary has every chance of reducing its budget deficit in 2012 by as much as almost anywhere else in Europe. Reforms are being rewarded by foreign capital, he said, referring to the fact that the amount of this is increasing. In a recent international ranking of competitiveness, Hungary has outperformed the other Visegrád

Four countries, he said.

In addition, several measures have been taken to increase the social security of a general population which had previously been subjected to a series of crippling austerity measures. The tax burden on families has now been reduced by 3.9%, and HUF 385bn has been returned to taxpayers, as a result of personal income tax

the new scheme.

The Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that, whenever possible, the Government turns to the people to seek their opinion through national consultations, and he described this as a step intended to eliminate the crisis of confidence which existed under the previous administration.

Mr. Navracsics said that the new Fundamental Law – on which several Cardinal Acts have been based – was a response to the institutional crisis.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that, despite the challenges encountered, Hungary’s EU presidency was a great success, and he thanked those who contributed to this.

He highlighted government measures aiming to create an economy based on work. Mr. Navracsics said that between 2006 and 2010, the number of those officially unemployed had increased by 50,000 (and by 7,000 in the under-25 age bracket), government debt had increased by 7 per cent, and Hungary’s budget deficit was a source of national shame. In contrast, the last two years have seen the number of people in employment increasing by 68,000 – 15,000 of these being under 25.

‘I am not saying that the Government has done a perfect job. We have made many mistakes, because we set out to complete a great many tasks, and because between 2010 and 2012 we had to take emergency action,’ he said.

Agreement between EU Investment Bank and national economy (Online 14 Jun) Mr. György Matolcsy, Minister for National Economy, signed in Budapest a project finance contract of 63 million EUR with the Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Mr. Wilhelm Molterer.

Today the minister for national economy and the vice president of the EIB signed a project finance contract of 63 million EUR which -- via the favourable financing conditions of budgetary expenditures -- will significantly contribute to the rehabilitation of the area ravaged by the red sludge catastrophe of 2010 and the

investments aimed at the prevention of damages caused by flooding and extreme climate conditions.

The relationship between Hungary and the EIB span more than two decades, and in the meantime the bank has provided funding of almost 14.6bn EUR for the financing of several Hungarian development projects.

Out of international development institutions it is the European Investment Bank (EIB) that participates most actively in project financing in Hungary. In the past two years agreements totaling more than 1.1bn EUR have been concluded

with the EIB for lending for state project financing and 1.1bn EUR have also been drawn on the basis of existing government loan contracts.

The domestic investments completed via EIB support were mainly related to the updating of the industry, energy sector, telecommunication and education. In addition to providing favourable financial conditions, the EIB plays a key part in improving the absorption capacity of EU-funded investment projects and thereby in boosting the economy as well.

Employment and labour market conditions are favourable in Hungary (Online 14 Jun) The new Labour Code, new public work programme and employment boosting measures: Key objectives of the new Labour Code - which was adopted by parliament in December 2011 and the provisions of which enter into force on 1

July 2012 - are to increase competitiveness in line with new economic requirements and claims of employees as well as to establish a differentiated regulation. The new law aims to create the most flexible labour market regulation possible. To this

end, the document reduces state intervention and -- parallel to defining guarantees for employees – it intends to offer a significantly larger scope for civil law-based regulation than before.

(Online 14 Jun) On 8 June 2012, the Government of Hungary signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (Faro, 2005). Thus, Hungary has taken a significant step in favour of the complex protection, management and preservation of cultural heritage.

According to the document, everyone has the responsibility for European cultural heritage which constitutes a shared source of remembrance, understanding, identity, cohesion and creativity. The pledge of preservation is the exchange of

knowledge, high level trainings, as well as the use of techniques and skills based on tradition.

The Parties of the Faro Convention undertake to take into account the specific character and interests of the cultural heritage when devising economic policies, to raise social awareness, to utilise the economic potential of the cultural heritage, to promote respect for the integrity of the cultural heritage, to define principles for sustainable management and to encourage maintenance, to develop knowledge of cultural heritage, and to integrate these ap-

proaches into all aspects of lifelong education and training.

The purpose of the international cooperation is to integrate the protection of cultural heritage into policies of public authorities in all sectors and at all levels, and to influence everyday life of people through education and economy, raising awareness that the sustainment and transmission of Hungarian and common European material and intellectual values is essential for future generations to become acquainted with cultural roots, and to preserve diversity.

What a Lot of Green! – Reporting Hungary signed the Framework Convenfrom Afghanistan tion on the Value of Cultural Heritage

(Online 14 Jun) The members of the seventh rotation of the HDF Mi-35 Air Mentor Team (AMT-7) and the second rotation of the HDF Mi-17 Air Advisory Team (AAT-2) – together with the soldiers posted to individual positions taking their paid leave – left M a z a r - e Sharif for Debrecen in the morning of Friday, June (photo: Veronika Dévényi) 1.

The day began with an early reveille, as the tailgate of the luggage transport truck was opened at 06:00 am.

The truck started from here, the reinforced containerized housing units of the National Support Element and rolled to the tents that served as temporary accommodation for the aircrews and airc r a f t (photo: Veronika Dévényi) maintenance through the worn yellowish plastic technicians, then having collected all windows of the closed doors until the the PX cases, sailor bags and ruck- arrival of the Boeing charter plane of sacks, it drove to the airport. The sol- Air Bucharest. diers on their way home went to the The Boeing 737 aircraft landed in the airport on foot. summer of Mazar-e Sharif, with 35 The baggage control and the passen- degrees Celsius even in the shade. ger security screening – which is The German bus transported its pasmandatory at all airports around the sengers to the parking lot where they world – took place in the morning received their baggage, while half an sunshine, at a temperature of well hour later another bus carried us to above 30 degrees Celsius. the refueled aircraft which was ready Thanks to the German discipline (as to take off. Before long, the airplane the German armed forces are oper- taxied to the runway, took a short ating the airport of Mazar-e Sharif), ground run due to the light payload we were able to watch the light, and took to the sky. At the end of the weekend air traffic on Friday only uneventful journey we encountered

the much colder, cloudy weather of Trabzon with 18 degrees Celsius. The soldiers walked out from the closed-down terminal to the pouring rain.

Debrecen showed its nicer side, so the soldier seated in front of me was right to cry out “What a lot of green!” on catching sight of the Great Hungarian Plain in the sunshine after the barren yellow and grey colors of Afghanistan.

The disembarkation was followed by transferring the luggage, then the Mi-17 helicopter with tail number 704 waiting for us (carrying the most important bags, cases and the writer of this article in the cargo hold) and an exFinnish Mi-8 (with tail number 3307, offering the troops a rapid movehome) ment overcame the rising wind and flew in formation to Szolnok with the homebound personnel aboard.

By tradition, Brig.-Gen. Imre Lamos, the commander of the HDF 86th Szolnok Helicopter Base welcomed the contingent back home by the sounds of the famous last number from the musical “Hair”. After performing a flyover in salute, the two aircraft taxied to the stands at the same time, and the engines were stopped in a barrage of more and more impatient glances being thrown by the next of kin. Wherever I look, I can see tears and hugs – we are back home.

More effective representation for counties in Brussels (Online 15 Jun) The H4- HunOR Representative Office in Brussels to be opened under the auspices of the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice will provide a more effective and more active presence in Brussels for both the counties of Hungary and the Hungarian research and development sector. By virtue of opening the office, the Ministry hopes to improve the aid level of counties and the entire Hungarian R+D sector available from EU funding. Thanks to the new information network, counties will have a direct link to tender funding made available in Brussels for the fulfilment of their new development tasks.

Main activities of the H4-HunOR Of-

fice opened in the Brussels Hungarian Development Centre: interest representation, gathering and dissemination of information, establishment of a strong network of contacts with EU institutions and Hungarian and foreign representations in Brussels, partner search, image building, lobbying and the wider promotion of Hungarian research results in Brussels.

Erika Szabó, Minister of State for Territorial Public Administration and Elections, said that, based on the Government’s new type of county concept, effective representation in Brussels is key for both counties and country-ranked cities. It is the goal of the HunOR Hungarian Research De-

velopment and Innovation Office to provide more information for the Hungarian R+D+I sector, in particular, small and medium-sized businesses, and to thereby enhance their participation in EU programmes.

In the current economic situation, the tender opportunities and funding offered by the EU must be used as priority resources in our national (innovation) development policy and the improvement of competitiveness.

At present, Hungary’s participation in the European Union’s joint research, development and innovation programmes does not reach the desirable and optimal level.

Drawdown of EU funds for businesses and local govts is accelerating (Online 15 Jun) At its meeting on Wednesday, the Government decided to provide two new pre-financing systems for businesses and municipalities so that payment of EU funds will be accelerated. In order to finance projects receiving EU funds, a 30 per cent deposit will be given to

businesses; in addition, a HUF 50 billion fund will be created for down payments needed by local governments in order to apply for EU grants.

These measures aim to make use of EU funds faster and more efficiently.

As a result, Hungary will be the most efficient Member State as regards the

drawdown of EU funds. These decisions will help the economic growth that will spur employment, stimulate job creation and safeguard existing jobs. The net effect will encourage the continued growth of employment, which has already resulted in 80,000 new jobs.

N a v r a c s ic s c a lls H unga r y ’s f is c a l polic y ‘it s s t r ic t e s t e v e r ’ (Online 11 Jun) According to Tibor Navracsics, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Justice, new institutional frameworks have been created, many far-reaching reforms have been launched and Hungary’s system of checks and balances is operating effectively.

In an interview with Hungarian daily Népszabadság, Mr. Navracsics said that Hungary has been hit by a triple crisis: the deep economic crisis of 2005/2006, which led to an enormous budget deficit in 2006; a crisis of political legitimacy in the autumn of 2006, following broadcast of Ferenc Gyurcsány’s infamous ‘Balatonőszöd speech’; and an in-

stitutional crisis from 2008 onwards under Gyurcsány’s minority socialist administration and the subsequent technocratic caretaker government of Gordon Bajnai. Following the Fidesz election victory of 2010, therefore, the creation of a new system of governance was needed to put an end to Hungary’s institutional crisis; the Deputy Prime Minister said that this system is working well.

Mr. Navracsics said that Hungary has adopted its strictest ever fiscal policy. Hungary’s budget deficit hit record levels under recent socialist governments, during which time the country became deeply indebted, leading to an unsustainable eco-

nomic situation. Without the debt inherited from the socialists, Hungary would not now be running a deficit.

Mr. Navracsics said that a number of radical policy reforms have been launched, including the flat-rate tax system.

He also said that the Hungarian government had requested that the Venice Commission comment on a number of laws. In mid-June, prior to release of the Commission’s report, a discussion will take place in which the Hungarian government will be represented by Minister of State for Justice, Róbert Répássy.

Professional and policy issues will be in focus, not questions of principle related to democracy.

Grand Duke's Birthday Luxembourg - Jun 23

The Grand Duke's Official Birthday (French: Célébration publique de l'anniversaire du souverain) is celebrated as the annual national holiday of Luxembourg. It is celebrated on 23 June, although this has never been the actual birthday of any ruler of Luxembourg. When the monarch of Luxembourg is female, it is known as the Grand Duchess's Official Birthday.

Development of the holiday The monarch's birthday has not always been celebrated on

23 June. Under William I (1815–40), the date was 24 April (although his actual birthday was 25 August), and under William II (1840–1849), it was 6 December, his actual birthday. This change created the strange situation of celebrating two Grand Ducal birthdays in 1840. Under William III (1849– 90), the date was set at 17 June until 1859, after which, his birthday was celebrated on 19 February: two days after his actual birthday.

With the separation of the orders of succession, the Dutch and Luxembourgois thrones split in 1890. The NassauWeilburg monarchs celebrated their Official Birthdays on their actual birthdays. In 1947, the day was declared the 'national holiday'. As both the reigning Charlotte and the Heir Apparent (and regent) Jean were born in January, it was feared that their actual birthdays, therefore the nation's holiday, would be marred by poor weather. Thus, on 23 December 1961, the date was fixed on 23 June by Grand Ducal decree.

Midsummer Party - Jun 23 Denmark, Norway

Midsummer day simply refer to the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, but more often refers to specific European celebrations that accompany the actual solstice, or that take place on a day between June 21 and June 24, and the preceding evening. The exact dates vary between different cultures. Midsummer is especially important in the cultures of Scandinavia and Latvia where it is the most celebrated holiday apart from Christmas.

Background European midsummer-related holidays, traditions, and cel-

ebrations are pre-Christian in origin. They are particularly important in Northern Europe - Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania – but are also found in Germany, Ireland, parts ofBritain (Cornwall especially), France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, other parts of Europe, and elsewhere - such as Canada, the United States, Puerto Rico, and also in the Southern Hemisphere (mostly in Brazil, Argentina and Australia), where this imported European celebration would be more appropriately called Midwinter.

Midsummer is also sometimes referred to by Neopagans and others as Litha, stemming from Bede's De temporum ratione which provides Anglo-Saxon names for the months roughly corresponding to June and July as "se Ærra Liþa" and "se Æfterra Liþa" (the "early Litha month" and the "later Litha month") with an intercalary month of "Liþa" appearing after se Æfterra Liþa on leap years. The fire festival or Lith- Summer solstice is a tradition for many pagans.

Solstice celebrations still center around the day of the astronomical summer solstice. Some choose to hold the rite on the 21st of June, even when this is not the longest day of the year, and some celebrate June 24, the day of the solstice in Roman times.

Although Midsummer is originally a pagan holiday, in Christianity it is associated with the nativity of John the Baptist, which is observed on the same day, June 24, in the Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant churches. It is six months before Christmas because Luke1:26 and Luke 1.36 imply that John the Baptist was born six months earlier than Jesus, although the Bible does not say at which time of the year this happened.

In Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Quebec (Canada), the traditional Midsummer day, June 24, is a public holiday. So it was formerly also in Sweden and Finland, but in these countries it was, in the 1950s, moved to the Saturday between June 19 and June 26.

History The celebration of Midsummer's Eve (St. John's Eve among

Christians) was from ancient times a festival of the summer solstice. Some people believed that golden-flowered midsummer plants, especially Calendula, and St. John's Wort, had miraculous healing powers and they therefore picked them on this night. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southwards again. In later years, witches were also thought to be on their way to meetings with other powerful beings.

In Sweden, Mid-summer celebration originates from the time before Christianity; it was celebrated as a sacrifice time in the sign of the fertility.

The solstice itself has remained a special moment of the annual cycle of the year since Neolithic times. The concentration of the observance is not on the day as we reckon it, commencing at midnight or at dawn, as it is customary for cultures following lunar calendars to place the beginning of the day on the previous eve at dusk at the moment when the Sun has set. In Sweden, Finland and Estonia, Midsummer's Eve is the greatest festival of the year, comparable only with Walpurgis Night, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. In the 7th century, Saint Eligius (died 659/60) warned the recently converted inhabitants of Flanders against the ageold pagan solstice celebrations. According to the Vita by his companion Ouen, he'd say: "No Christian on the feast of Saint John or the solemnity of any other saint performs solestitia [summer solstice rites] or dancing or leaping or diabolical chants."

As Christianity entered pagan areas, midsummer celebrations came to be often borrowed and transferred into new Christian holidays, often resulting in celebrations that mixed Christian traditions with traditions derived from pagan Midsummer festivities. The 13th-century monk of Winchcomb, Gloucestershire, who compiled a book of sermons for the feast days, recorded how St. John's Eve was celebrated in his time: Let us speak of the revels which are accustomed to be made on St. John's Eve, of which there are three kinds. On St. John's Eve in certain regions the boys collect bones and certain other rubbish, and burn them, and therefrom a smoke is produced on the air. They also make brands and go about the fields with the brands. Thirdly, the wheel which they roll.

The fires, explained the monk of Winchcombe, were to drive away dragons, which were abroad on St. John's Eve, poisoning springs and wells. The wheel that was rolled downhill he gave its explicitly solstitial explanation: The wheel is rolled to signify that the sun then rises to the highest point of its circle and at once turns back; thence it comes that the wheel is rolled.

On St John's Day 1333 Petrarch watched women at Cologne rinsing their hands and arms in the Rhine "so that the threatening calamities of the coming year might be washed away by bathing in the river."

Denmark In Denmark, the solstitial celebration is called Sankt Hans aften ("St. John's Eve"). It was an official holiday until 1770,

and in accordance with the Danish tradition of celebrating a holiday on the evening before the actual day, it takes place on the evening of 23 June. It is the day where the medieval wise men and women (the doctors of that time) would gather special herbs that they needed for the rest of the year to cure people.

It has been celebrated since the times of the Vikings by visiting healing water wells and making a large bonfire to ward away evil spirits. Today the water well tradition is gone. Bonfires on the beach, speeches, picnics and songs are traditional, although bonfires are built in many other places where beaches may not be close by (i.e. on the shores of lakes and other waterways, parks, etc.) In the 1920s a tradition of putting a witch made of straw and cloth (probably made by the elder women of the family) on the bonfire emerged as a remembrance of the church's witch burnings from 1540 to 1693. This burning sends the "witch" away to Bloksbjerg, the Brocken mountain in the Harz region of Germany where the great witch gathering was thought to be held on this day. Some Danes regard the relatively new symbolic witch burning as inappropriate.

In 1885 Holger Drachmann wrote a midsommervise (Midsummer hymn) called "Vi elsker vort land..."("We Love Our Country") that is sung with a melody composed by P.E. Lange-Müller at every bonfire on this evening.

Norway As in Denmark, Sankthansaften is celebrated on June 23 in Norway. The day is also called Jonsok, which means

"John's wake", important in Roman Catholic times with pilgrimages to churches and holy springs. For instance, up until 1840 there was a pilgrimage to the stave church in Røldal (southwest Norway) whose crucifix was said to have healing powers. Today, however,Sankthansaften is largely regarded as a secular or even pre-Christian event.

In most places the main event is the burning of a large bonfire. In parts of Norway a custom of arranging mock marriages, both between adults and between children, is still kept alive. The wedding was meant to symbolize the blossoming of new life. Such weddings are known to have taken place in the 1800s, but the custom is believed to be older.

It is also said that if a girl puts flowers under her pillow that night, she will dream of her future husband.

Victory Day Estonia - Jun 23

Võidupüha or Victory Day is a public holiday in Estonia, which has been celebrated on 23 June every year since 1934. The date recalls the victory in the 1919 Battle of Võnnu (near Cēsis, Latvia) of the Estonian military forces and their allies over German forces (Baltische Landeswehr) who sought to re-assert Baltic-German control over the region. The battle was part of the 1918-1920 Estonian War of Independence, where the main adversary of the newly independent Estonia was Communist Russia. Today, Võidupüha also marks the contributions of all Estonian nations in their fight to regain and retain their independence.

Estonian celebration of June 23 is ceremonially tied to the following Midsummer Day celebrations on June 24. According to Estonian laws, the state flags are not to be lowered during the night between the days.

Opening Statement of János Martonyi, at the Annual NATO Conference 14 (Online Jun)It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to welcome you all on behalf of the Govof ernment Hungary at Annual the NATO Conon ference WMD Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. is Hungary proud to host this conference, which has become of one NATO’s most important outreach events. It is my understanding that the conference has gained a lot of reputation in recent years, due largely to the fact that the event is open not only to NATO Allies and partners, but to other interested countries and international organizations as well.

The timing of this unique conference is indeed a fitting one. It takes place just a few weeks after NATO’s Chicago summit. I am sure you all know that the issue of partnerships featured high on the agenda of this summit. The idea of “cooperative security” is one of the core tasks enshrined in NATO’s Strategic Concept.

It means that the Alliance will engage actively with its partners to enhance international security by contributing inter alia to arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament.

It is my firm belief that the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction, and their means of delivery can only be tackled effectively, if members of the international community work together. Therefore, I see the main goal of this conference in bringing together representatives from all over the world, in an informal setting, where we can freely exchange views on some very demanding WMD-related topics.

I deliberately mentioned “demanding” topics as we continue to face serious proliferation challenges. The weight and significance NATO attributes to these challenges is also reflected in the Chicago Summit Declaration.

This conference provides us with an excellent opportunity to take stock of what NATO should do in the near and distant future to address and counter this significant threat to our common security emanating from several parts of the world.

We may state that the implementation of international agreements and export control regimes slows down the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. However, even as international efforts to curb proliferation may have resulted in a reduced likelihood that WMD weapons might be used by state actors, the risk of such weapons and material to be acquired by terrorist groups continues to be very worrying. Therefore, states have a special responsibility to bear. Biological and chemical weapons - relatively easy to produce but difficult to control - constitute a particularly grave threat. They are more likely to be used in the context of regional conflicts and acts of international terrorism than at a larger scale.

More and more countries are striving to acquire the various means for their delivery of WMD. The heightened interest in developing and fielding ballistic missile technology is a real threat. The spreading of missile technology is indirectly jeopardising security, not only in Europe. This threat

convinced NATO to invest in a missile defence system that will contribute to the defence of all European allies. I would like to point out that NATO is not the only actor considering missile defence as an effective contribution to countering the ballistic missile threat.

We have every reason to be deeply worried about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Allow me to highlight some particularly prominent examples: Iran’s nuclear programme continues to be a serious challenge and threat to international peace and security.

We fully share the concerns expressed by the United Nations’ Security Council and call upon Iran, also in our currently held capacity as member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to comply with all international obligations and to fully co-operate with the IAEA. Hungary hopes that the efforts of the E3+3 in seeking a swift diplomatic solution of the Iranian nuclear issue will soon bring tangible results.

We are equally worried by the proliferation activities of the DPRK and condemned its attempted rocket launch on 13 April, 2012.

Let me also mention here another source of concern we share with many: that is the plight of the socalled multilateral disarmament machinery, most notably the Conference on Disarmament, which has not been able to produce any meaningful results with regard to weapons of mass destruction for over a decade. In this regard again, our conference offers a unique opportunity for a frank exchange on the political and institutional challenges we are facing in the field of multilateral disarmament.

Nonetheless, the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit held last March was an important result of our endeavours to strengthen WMD control and nuclear security in particular. We fully subscribe to the call of the Seoul Conference for strengthening the security of nuclear material, by all states concerned, within their borders. By joining the final Communiqué of the Seoul Summit, Hungary also confirmed that it strongly encourages any multilateral endeavours aiming to create an overarching security culture in all areas related to WMD. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation and the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization. Since their inception both of them have considerably contributed to diminish the threat of WMD proliferation and their means of delivery.

In celebrating these anniversaries however, we must note that further efforts are needed to achieve univer-

sal adherence to these instruments.

We well recognize the close connections that exist between terrorist acts and other of forms transnational organized crime, such as the misuse of chemical, biological, radioand logical n u c l e a r weapons and related activities. We echo committhe ment made in to Chicago continue to implement NATO’s Strategic-Level Policy for Preventing the Proliferation of WMD and Defending against CBRN threats.

With our limited financial means, we take part in and host various events aiming at raising the awareness of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Hungary also participates in promoting developing regions and countries in their efforts to fight against terrorism. As a prominent example of that, Hungary, in cooperation with different UN actors, such as the UNODC, the Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force, the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate and the OSCE, will host the next biannual counter-terrorism conference with a special focus on the Western Balkans and the North African regions.

The agenda of today’s conference is a proper reflection of the multitude and diversity in terms of geography and topics of the WMD issues we need to address and tackle if we want to play our proper part in turning this world into a safer place.

The positions we take at international fora outlined above are in full accordance with the respective provisions of Hungary’s newly adopted National Security Strategy. It stresses, inter alia, our interest in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery, and the capabilities required for their production, in further strengthening the international disarmament process and in an effective worldwide implementation and regulation of arms control.

It also reiterated our consistently held view that for Hungary’s security, multilateral diplomacy and the strengthening of international organisations, regimes and co-operation frameworks, as well as active participation in the latter, constitute the most important means to be used to mitigate the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction.

Our conference today provides us with a good opportunity to reiterate NATO’s important role in effectively countering this threat. Of course, NATO is not party to any non-proliferation regime or treaty, so its role in contributing to the international efforts can be characterised as a “supporting” role. This conference organized jointly with NATO’s WMD Non-proliferation Centre is the perfect example of what such a “supporting” role can be: by providing a forum for assessing the current situation and pointing to the way ahead to follow, I hope we make a helpful, albeit modest, contribution to a safer world and participants will leave Budapest with fresh and useful ideas on how to put these ideas in practice.

Bence Rétvári: corruption is harmful to the whole of society (Online 13 Jun) Bence Rétvári, Minister of State for Public Administration and Justice spoke about the details of the Government’s anti-corruption programme on Tuesday.

In his lecture, Rétvári stressed that the State does not manage its own funds but revenues collected from taxpayer citizens. It is therefore particularly important to pursue a responsible approach in the management of public funds. It is due to the lack of trust that people often pay for services to which they have already contributed in the form of the taxes they pay, the Minister of State said. The act of corruption is harmful to the whole of society. The Government therefore intends to simplify and enhance the transparency of the statutory environment as part of a deregulation programme in the first phase. Additionally, the Fundamental Law guarantees that state funds cannot be channelled to businesses with an unclear proprietary structure, Rétvári reminded his audience. In his speech, he stressed

that political, social and economic corruption must be tackled collectively as each has an impact on the other.

He also made mention of the anticorruption programme of public administration.

The fundamental principles of this programme may be summed up as authenticity, a gradual approach, organisational reform and accountability for cases of corruption committed in the past. This is a new approach which also concentrates on prevention and does not merely mete out punishment subsequently. Additionally, it does not identify retaliatory measures but lays down expectations. He also said that the Government hopes to achieve that the largest possible number of local municipalities implement the measures of the programme. He made mention of campaign funding, the satisfactory settlement of the issue of gratuities and cooperation with the private sector as the pledge of successful implementation. In the course of his lecture, the Minister of

State also spoke about the Occupational Code of Ethics for civil servants, which is effectively a code laying down the foundations of public service and anti-corruption practices for those working in public administration. He additionally stressed the importance of the qualitative and quantitative reinforcement of the proceeding authorities and detailed cooperation agreements between state agencies.

He also said that the Government will launch information programmes for the promotion of anti-corruption values for Hungarian businesses.

At the end of his lecture, Bence Rétvári spoke about the reinforcement of the prosecution service, the judicial “acceleration package” and the introduction of more stringent provisions concerning acts of corruption in the new Penal Code. He made mention of the new Public Procurement Act and the fact that Hungary was the first to join the International Anti-Corruption Academy as particular achievements.

More effective resource-utilization able to ensure sustainability of health system (Online 12 Jun) Creating a more resilient health system is one of the main purposes of the Semmelweis Plan – among other subjects, that was the main topic of the workshop on using EU Structural Funds to improve institutional capacity of public authorities, which was hosted by the Health Services Management Training Centre of the Semmelweis University. Organised as part of the EU funded 'Health Gain' project, the workshop brought together participants from the UK, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Lithuania and Hungary to explore the opportunities to improve population’s health across all Structural Fund programming.

Dr Miklos Szocska, Minister of State for Health, delivered a keynote speech highlighting Hungary's role in coordinating a reflection process on how to use the Structural Funds more effectively in the 2014-2020 period. He commented,

"For new Member States, these are the only predictable source of funds for capital investment to reform health systems so that they can survive the increased demand from chronic diseases and demographic shifts in society".

Dr Szocska set out the key elements in the Semmelweis Plan 'Resusciated Health Care' for a more resilient health system that relies less on expensive hospital care and strengthens community based care and emphasized personal responsibility for managing their own health.

Dr Lidia Georgeva from the Sofia Medical University outlined the 'Government Social Responsibility' project which aims to translate the principles of good governance into practice through ISO quality benchmarks for public administrations. Professor Mark McCarthy from University College London presented the STEPS project which examined

how Central and Eastern European countries had used the research budget within the EU Structural Funds and the potential to generate evidence for better public health policies. Presenting the 'DPSEEA' model, Dr Ben Cave, Team Leader of the Health Gain project, described it as a way of understanding the complexity of public health issues.

Akos Moskovits, from the European Commission Representation in Hungary explained that 7 countries, including Hungary, had allocated a small but significant share (2 %) of their Structural Funds towards upgrading and modernising healthcare infrastructure and care facilities. He noted that in the next funding cycle (2014-2020) better targeting of the funds and alignment with key strategic EU goals on poverty reduction could improve the efficiency of investments for health.

Hotelstars.hu is a national trademark (Online 12 Jun) In order to improve the quality of domestic tourism, the Ministry for National Economy and the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association have signed earlier today a Cooperation Agreement.

From 1 July 2012 the classification of hotels is based on the Hotelstars.hu trademark as the national trademark for domestic accommodations.

Recently the Ministry for National Economy (NGM) responsible for tourism and the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association (MSZÉSZ) have made great efforts in order to implement a classification system -instead of the current mandatory classification of accommodations -which is in line with EU norms, competitive, can be operated in cooperation with relevant professional organizations and institutions, entrepreneur-friendly and which can promote market presence and sectoral communication As a result of professional negotiations, Hungary joined the Hotel Superior Hotelstars.eu trademark,

which has been operating already in EU countries with highly developed tourism sectors and which has been well known by tourists abroad.

From 1 July 2012 the classification of domestic hotels will be based on Hotelstars.eu as the national trademark for domestic accommodations. The classification system, in addition to containing operational requirements which are stipulated by regulation, is suitable for assessing the quality of accommodations on the basis of professional requirements, highlighting top quality services and it can thereby help consumers select, on the basis of available information, the service provider which best fits their expectations.

The underwriters of the Agreement, Mr. Kristóf Szatmáry, Minister of State for Economic Regulation, and President Ms. Andrea Kopócsy have both emphasized that the trademark will be jointly operated by the NGM and the MSZÉSZ, and the classification of services will be carried out via cooperation with the MSZÉSZ and

on the grounds of a professional evaluation system elaborated within the framework of Hotelstars Union. In the tendering process and the monitoring of trademark utilization the principles of professionalism, independence and neutrality will be applied. The utilization of the trademark is not compulsory, but getting it can provide significant market advantages. The legality of trademark utilization and the adherence to classification criteria will be guaranteed by control.

Mr. Kristóf Szatmáry has pointed out that national trademarks introduced at accommodations, such as the utilization of the Hotelstars system, is yet another sign of the commitment of the government to the tourism sector. This step will contribute – in addition to the unexpectedly positive achievements of the Széchenyi Recreation Card – to an increase in guest nights, increase of tourism revenues and improvement of the quality of domestic tourism.

St a ble budge t, gr owing e c onom y : Gov t s ubm it t e d t he budge t f or 2 0 1 3 (Online 16 Jun) In the past couple of months, in the midst of a protracted financial-economic crisis, the government has carried out structural reforms by which the fiscal balance was made sustainable and general government debt was set on a downward path.

Due to the fiscal trend reversal, the deficit will certainly and steadily remain below 3 percent, consequently next year the Hungarian economy

will begin to expand on the basis of firm fundamentals. The Budget Bill of 2013 sets a deficit target of 2.2 percent which – via one of the most stable fiscal management policies of Europe – will aptly respond to the challenges imposed by the debt crisis.

The system of revenues and expenditures of the draft budget will provide the opportunity for economic growth and job creation, as it favours

sales taxes instead of taxes on labour, reduces the operational expenses of the state, introduces the Start work programme, utilizes EU funds and continues the transformation process of the system of social welfare services.

On the basis of the aforementioned principles, the government submitted to parliament today the Budget Bill of Hungary for the year of 2013.

Viktor Orbán had talks with PM of Montenegro (Online 15 Jun) The Hungarian Government has every reason to support Montenegro’s accession to the European Union and NATO, and to encourage the Hungarian business community to build extensive relations with Podgorica, Viktor Orbán said after the meeting.

Hungary looks upon Montenegro, a success story based on its economic indicators, as a country of far greater significance than its size would warrant and that plays a major role in the maintenance of regional stability.

As regards accession, EU Member States today are less receptive, less open to enlargement than they once were; there appears to be a state of “enlargement apathy” in the traditional European regions, the Hungarian Prime Minister believes. It is therefore one of the missions of Hungarian foreign policy to fight this enlargement apathy as

Hungary is committed to the Transatlantic integration of Montenegro and its region within the shortest possible time. A desire for enlargement must be induced in the European Union. We have no reason to make Montenegro wait, he said.

The reason for the decline in Montenegrin exports to Hungary is the problem of Magyar Alumínium és Kereskedelmi (Mal) Zrt.; more specifically, the red sludge disaster sustained and caused by the company that occurred in October 2010. As a result, the company has at present a much lower economic capability than in previous times, and Montenegrin-Hungarian trade relations have fallen victim to this.

At the same time, Hungary continues to regard Mal Zrt. as one of its most important companies and the Government wishes to reinforce its position to a degree that permits

the restoration of cooperation in the aluminium industry between the two countries to the pre-sludge disaster level.

Foreign investments also determine the quality of cooperation between two countries, Prime Minister Orbán said. Hungary has extensive experience with foreign investors because Hungary is the region within the entire European Union that has forged the strongest bond with the EU’s economy. We believe that when a foreign investor goes to another country, he must first give respect to the nation of his choice and must also give respect to the people who work there. It must be made clear that while investors naturally wish to make a profit by going to another country, they also go there because their operation in that other country is likewise beneficial for the other party, Viktor Orbán said.

M r. R ola nd N á tr á n is the ne w M D a t EXIM B a nk a nd M e hib Lt d.

(Online 15 Jun) The Governmnet of Hungary considers it a priority to support domestic exports within the framework of its economic policy strategy. In line with this strategy the key objective of the government is -- via providing financing for the export of Hungarian goods and services for enterprises based in Hungary – to enable them to fully

exploit their export opportunities that would therefore increase their competitiveness on external markets and to stimulate the Hungarian investments of foreign entrepreneurs.

The government aims to achieve the aforementioned objective by the financial instruments of the Hungarian Export-Import Bank

(EXIM) and the Hungarian Export Credit Insurance Ltd. as extensively as possible. Mr. György Matolcsy, minister for national economy, has called upon Mr. Roland Nátrán to implement the new strategy, and he will carry out the assignment as managing director of the EXIM bank and the Mehib Ltd.