Romania Rejects Historic Hungary Depiction in Diplomatic Gift
Hungary’s Ambassador to NATO Sparks Diplomatic Tensions with Historical Atlas Gift
Hungary’s permanent ambassador to NATO, István Balogh, has stirred diplomatic tensions by presenting a historical atlas to several NATO representatives, including those from Romania and Croatia. The atlas, part of Hungary’s National Atlas series, showcases maps of the former Historic Hungary, displaying regions that were once part of Hungary before the Treaty of Trianon in 1920. The Hungarian Foreign Ministry insists that the work is a professional representation of Hungarian geography with no irredentist intentions.
Despite these claims, the gift has faced strong opposition from both Romania and Croatia. The Romanian Foreign Ministry protested the presentation of the atlas, labeling it a “provocative manifestation” that does not benefit the strategic partnership between Romania and Hungary. Romania emphasized that provocative acts could harm the relationship between the two countries and that discussions on their shared history should be left to historians rather than diplomatic actions.
Croatian Foreign Minister, Gordan Grlić-Radman, also expressed disapproval of the atlas, deeming it “inappropriate.” He plans to address the matter with counterparts in Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The portrayal of Historic Hungary in historical maps remains a sensitive issue for these countries, leading to the current controversy.
This incident is not the first time Hungary’s depiction of Historic Hungary has sparked tensions. Years ago, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s presentation of a globe showing Historic Hungary to Hungarian high school graduates caused a similar uproar in Romania. The ongoing fallout highlights the delicate nature of Hungary’s historical narrative in its relations with neighboring countries.
The controversy surrounding the atlas’s gift underscores the complexities of historical narratives and their impact on diplomatic relations between nations. As discussions continue, it remains crucial for dialogue and understanding to prevail in resolving such sensitive issues.
