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8/2/11 3:37 PM

Orban Speaks at Trilateral Commission Meeting

Budapest, November 10, 2001.

Hungary has changed from a deeply pessimistic country to one of the most optimistic
countries in the world over the past 10 years, Prime Minister Viktor Orbn told the Trilateral
Commissions European Group meeting in Budapest on Saturday. He said Hungarys
economy has regained its stability and with hard work the nation can make up for what it
had lost in the years of Communism.
The Trilateral Commission was set up in 1973 by noted European, North American and
Japanese private personalities to foster closer cooperation among these core democratic
industrialized areas of the world.
In his address to the meeting, Orbn said the West has been fighting to save its freedom and
security since September 11. It is premature to say what the new century will be like, but
one thing is sure: nothing can change the differences between civilizations or the clashes of
interest between the continents, and certainly not overnight. Orbn said a new era could be
ushered in and Russias changing attitude toward the West is definitely a positive sign in
this.
Orban stated that Europe must also assess the tragic events of September 11 in the light of
European integration. He reminded that very often in the past European integration was
given a new boost by external events.
Addressing Balkan regional stability, one of the meetings major issues, Orbn said the
Dayton Agreement stopped the killings but could not ensure long-term stability. He said the
region remained unstable and a new agreement, a Dayton 2, would be necessary.
Sharing Hungarys experience, he pointed out that trade seemed to be the best vehicle of
promoting regional ties and security. The Central European Free Trade Agreement
(CEFTA) could be a model for economic co-operation in Southeast Europe, the Prime
Minister noted.
Hungary, along with Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Estonia, joined the European
Group of the Commission in 1998.
The Trilateral Commission renews its work for successive three-year periods. Its 10th
triennia will be completed in 2003.
(MTI)

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