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Budapest, Tuesday, November 25, 2008
In 1989, a democratic regime was established in Hungary and with it, the seeds of hope.
A wind of renewal swept across Hungary and crossed the Atlantic to reach our shores.
Canadians, many of whom are of Hungarian descent, saw this transformation as an opportunity to be a part of the emergence of a country that once again dared to look to the future.
This is the case of the Huszti family, which has so kindly agreed to host us here.
The Huszti family breathed new life into the Lukacs Café, which saw its heyday in Budapest at the turn of the last century.
The rebirth of this café steeped in history is like the rebirth of Hungary itself.
Canada has encouraged the transformations that have taken place since the dismantling of the Soviet Union and applauds the determination of the Hungarian people to establish a strong presence in international markets and in the concert of nations.
Today, Hungary is the 8th most important destination for Canadian foreign direct investment, and many Canadian businesses have chosen to establish themselves here.
These businesses include Bombardier, which I visited earlier this afternoon to see its assembly plant, and other businesses such as Linamar, Westcast, Rio Alto and Semex, to name but a few.
These are all promising signs of the economic co-operation between Canada and Hungary.
But beyond mere business ties, there are bonds of friendship, and deeper still, bonds of solidarity that have been forged throughout our histories.
Bonds that date back to the first waves of immigration toward the end of the 19th century.
Bonds that grew stronger with the arrival of thousands of Hungarians who fled from oppression and tyranny immediately following the insurrection of 1956.
The Hungarian community in Canada and the Canadian community in Hungary are a collective treasure for both of our countries. But more than that, they are a sign of friendship.
May they continue to nurture our cultures with their unique contribution and help ensure the prosperity of our peoples.
Let us rejoice together in the friendship between Canada and Hungary.