What feelings did Hungary’s EU accession trigger in you? Did you see it as more of a technical event or something much different?

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ On May 1st I was very close to the Hungarian-Slovenian border. It came as a surprise to me to receive this loud and free, joyful welcome that I experienced on both sides of the border. If you would ask why I was at that particular place: the explanation would be that the family of my wife, and my own family, have roots that go back to that part of the country. Both families are Hungarian but lived in two villages which now can be found on the Slovenian side of the border. In these villages half the people are called either Göncz, or Göntér, the surname of my wife, a fact that I actually did not know when I became acquainted with her. Therefore, the formal EU accession of both Slovenia and Hungary was a unique occasion both for me and my wife. In fact, the two countries became one within the EU, and the place where we were born became integrated with Hungary and the rest of Europe. The ceremony was really beautiful, and what I particularly enjoyed was that it was free from protocol or formalities, and everybody was free and joyful. I didn’t anticipate that it would be so relaxed.

What role do you see Hungary playing on the international stage in light of its new status as a EU member?

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ I think that the East-Central European countries, through their common historical experience and history, also have common political and economic outlooks, and will continue to play a similar role.

Within the EU, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary will understand each other more easily. I suppose the internal decision-making processes will also be quite similar. If you compare the decisions made in Portugal or in Ireland, for instance, the historical experience is not the same. The instinctive political decisions in this region will be much closer than in countries of southern Europe, for instance.

Looking back at the period of systemic changes, were there any mistakes made – in your mind – regarding the lack of accountability for crimes by the former system? In South Africa, for instance, such crimes were brought into the open by a special commission. While the systemic changes here were basically bloodless, there is a feeling among many of a lack of accountability, be it judicial or otherwise.

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ Criminals were always accountable, and criminals were punished. I do not consider those people criminals from whom the new regime, the new system, took the power over. I do not see in what way I should interpret accountability, because it was the social changes that actually created the conditions for the systemic changes. We were not talking about criminals. The whole change of regime took place as a result of a process of negotiations. And many of the politicians that had been politicians before the change of regime, were able to continue as politicians even after. This change of regime was not a power structure that was taken over from criminals by the innocent, or suppressed people. There were changes of ownership and changes in the structure of the state. Of course, the systemic changes had their own foreign political background, too as the Russian occupation in Hungary came to an end.

I am thinking in terms of the fact that some of the less comfortable aspects of the former system were not publicized, as a sort of reconciliation. Contemporary Hungary can be observed as being very polarized as a result, and many would attribute this to an inability to resolve parts of their past. Specifically, human rights abuses at various points during Communism, the nationalization of private property, the jailing of political prisoners and the use of the secret service.

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ No, the situation in Hungary was basically different from the situation in South Africa. I must remind you that the change of regime in this country was a peaceful political process, and unlike in South Africa, half the population had not been excluded from power because of their ethnic origin. The transformation took place in the political system. People who handed over power were part of the round table conference leading up to the change of regime. The changes came into being as a result of negotiations. We must remember that the situation that had come into being in Hungary after World War II, the rule of the communist regime, which was based on the predominance of state ownership, was replaced by market economy. And all that was facilitated by the fact that the Russians left the country.

A trans-Atlantic relationship has been very important for Hungary. The US was even looked upon as a kind of a bastion of democracy. Yet today, with the developments in Iraq, it would seem many have changed their vision of this relationship. As a president who fought fervently for human rights, how do you view the current situation, and the current stalemate worldwide over Iraq?

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ Hungary’s part in Iraq is a minimum, we are there with 300 soldiers who are involved in transport activities. I would not say that I am glad that there is war in Iraq, and I don’t feel that this should be Hungary’s war. I am not certain whether it is going in the direction as was planned originally. And it would be far too early to predict what influence it will have on the history of the world, on the history of the United States. And, I don’t even think that it came in the best moment for Hungary. Considering its geographic location, Hungary primarily is a European country. I am very glad that Hungary managed to shape its foreign policy in such a way that the country did not get into confrontation either with the EU – and the major powers in Europe – or with the US. I have to emphasize that the Hungarian participation in Iraq is not of a decisive size.

In terms of Hungary’s foreign policy, will the country become more involved on the international stage? Hungary’s foreign trade policy has shifted toward Europe to a large degree. In light of EU accession, will Hungary play a larger role outside the EU?

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ I do not think that Hungary will have a huge foreign political influence outside the EU. Of course, now that Hungary has formally become a member of the EU, traditional German-Hungarian relations will be seen in a different context. These relations from now are relations between Hungary and the rest of the EU. I would also like to emphasize that German-Hungarian economic relations will always be decisive for the Hungarian economy because they are not a new development in our bilateral relations, they were established many years ago. France, too turned up in Hungary many years ago. Western Europe does not consider Slovakia, Hungary and other countries in the region as the backyard of Europe. All that means that this integration and cooperation between the EU and Hungary in practical terms has been a reality for some time already. We also have to bear in mind the fact that bilateral relations with countries which are geographically closer to Hungary will probably be stronger and more effective. I think I can safely say that Hungary’s membership in the EU is not going to exert dramatic changes in the Hungarian economy. The Hungarian economy has already been integrated in wider Europe and linked to the EU through several channels for a long time already. Europe is not unknown to Hungary, and Hungary is not unknown in Europe. I don’t think that there will be an internal shock seeing that the internal borders are abolished. Rather, I think this century-old process has now come to completion. Our life in the EU will be a matter of course, an every day routine, an every day reality. Therefore, I do not anticipate a dramatic change for Hungary. But I think that new and vast opportunities will open for Hungary, which also existed before but not in a formalized structure. Now, these will be available and accessible for Hungary as a member country of the EU. With Hungary’s accession, I think that there will be even more doors opening for us. We didn’t have to push hard even before, but now these doors will open automatically.

You belong to a group of public figures who were formerly the opposition during Communism. Here, I think of Vaclav Havel and yourself as kinds of literary warriors. Is there still solidarity among this group of people?

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ Yes, and I think it is more or less understandable and natural. I think it was understandable both in Hungary and in the Czech Republic that they selected a writer, an author to be president. In Bulgaria they chose a philosopher. It happened so because every day politics did not mean exactly the same in these countries, unlike in the western world. So, they selected a person for president who they thought would be a guarantee. People in these countries thought that the course and story of the life of the person they selected for president would be a testimony and a guarantee that he will be able to understand the future. Mind you these people were not professional party politicians.

Do you think that is changing?

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ Yes, because that was the demand in a particular historic moment. Now, in a new situation, I think there will be new approaches in the Czech Republic, Hungary or Poland.

What is the greatest challenge for Hungary in terms of its foreign policy?

ÁRPÁD GÖNCZ The greatest challenge will be to utilize the possibilities and the opportunities that EU-membership brings with it. If the door is open, you can see a lot more than through a glass window.

Árpád Göncz

Born in Budapest in 1922, Árpád Göncz graduated from the Faculty of Law at Pázmány Péter University of Arts and Sciences in 1944. He studied for his second degree at the University of Agricultural Sciences of Gödöllő between 1952-1956. A veteran of the resistance against Nazi rule during World War II, Göncz took part in the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising, for which he was expelled from Gödöllô University and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1963, he was released and granted amnesty. During his prison years, Göncz continuously studied English, and later began literary translations and became a free-lance writer. Although he claims he is foremost a writer and translator, translating renowned stories like Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, his presence in Hungarian politics has been substantial. Subsequent to his membership in NFI (Network of Free Initiatives), AFD (Alliance of Free Democrats) and the Hungarian Parliament, Göncz in 1990 was elected president of the Republic of Hungary, serving two terms from 1990 to 2000. Given his close ties with world leaders and extensive efforts in promoting Hungary as a competitive, democratic country, Göncz stands out as one of Hungary’s most popular living politicians.