Elémer Hantos Prize for exceptional achievements in promoting cooperation in CEE

“Political differences and different views should not and cannot be an obstacle in advocating national interests, human values and unity in striving for common goals,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić

“Political differences and different views should not and cannot be an obstacle in advocating national interests, human values and unity in striving for common goals,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić, who together with MP Jandraka Kosor was awarded the Elémer Hantos Prize by the Central Europe Foundation (Mitteleuropa-Stiftung, Zürich).

The prize is awarded annually to persons or organization for outstanding achievements in promoting economic and political cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe.

Dr. Elémer Hantos was a Hungarian economic expert who advocated the establishment of an economic and trade union of Danube countries. Hantos founded economic institutes in Vienna, Budapest, Brno and Geneva. Presenting the laureates on behalf of the foundation's committee, Stefan Messman underscored that Pusić and Kosor were being awarded for their contribution to Croatia's accession to the EU and to developing good neighbourly relations in the region.

Kosor pointed out that European integration was the result of the entire society's commitment to a European future. “We have created a framework that no policy will be able to step out of,” she said.

Pusić stressed that Croatia's accession to the EU was a common aim of the entire society. “Some argue whether the EU was a good idea. If anyone understands the importance of its basic role then it’s us from this part of Europe, who have experienced first-hand that countries can win or lose wars, but societies cannot – societies can only lose. The EU is an instrument serving first and foremost to ensure lasting peace, which is a precious common value. Croatia has reached its first political consensus precisely on that. We have matured politically, realizing that it is important not only that Croatia implements reforms and exists in an environment that will take our values to the level of European ones, but that it is also important that we work with our neighbours so that they could reach the same goal too and create a framework that ensures “citizen-friendly” environment where the state understands that it serves its citizens,” Pusić said.

“That job is far from finished, it has just begun. But we have to persevere. I am honoured to receive this prize and glad to share it with my colleague Kosor. We may have been in different political parties and had differing views, but we have always respected two things: common sense and the interest of our country,” Pusić added, thanking everyone who participated in Croatia’s EU accession.

This is the first time the prize has been awarded to a woman and the first time to a Croatian. Previous laureates include György Konrád (2012), George Soros (2011), Rudolf Chmel (2010), Adam Michnik (2009), Erhard Busek (2008), Vaclav Havel (2007) as well as Stefan Messman and Tibor Tajti (2006).

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