Romania was outraged by the statements of the Hungarian president

The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has protested to the Hungarian Embassy over the "inappropriate public statements" made by President Katalin Novak during a private visit to Transylvania over the weekend.

This was reported by Yevropeiska Pravda.

Together with several Hungarian politicians, Novak took part in a pilgrimage to the city of Szumuleu-Csuk on the occasion of Holy Trinity Day over the weekend.

On Facebook, the Hungarian president posted a video from the trip titled "Do not let Transylvania perish, O our God," which features the hymn of the Săkei, an ethnic group of Magyars in Romania, which, according to Transtelex, has previously caused controversy in relations between Bucharest and Budapest.

"A mother is happy when her family is together," said today's sermon. Likewise, as a head of state, I am always pleased to feel this national unity when the nation is together, as we felt today during the farewell. May God bless the Hungarian people!" she wrote on Saturday.

On Sunday, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to Agerpres, protested Novak's "public messages," in particular those posted on the Hungarian president's Facebook page.

The report notes that Novak's recent private visit to Romania was accompanied by "inappropriate public messages, in particular those concerning Romania's historical region," after which the Romanian Foreign Ministry immediately contacted the Hungarian ambassador and expressed its strong protest.

In response, Katalin Novak's office said in a comment to the Mandiner on Monday that the Romanian Foreign Ministry's protest "is excessive and unjustified, but not unusual."

"The post in question, which shows the Sekei anthem performed at the farewell in Csikszomló (Hungarian name for Szumuleu-Csuk - ed.), is still available on the president's social media pages. Quoting the greetings of the Transylvanian reformers: "Peace from God!" they added.

Author - Olena Madiak, 29/05/2023