Twenty-five years ago Hungary opened the borders in Sopronpuszta and this was the last step to break with communism in Hungary and in Eastern Europe, Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér said in Austria at the joint Hungarian-Austrian day of police.
Quoting former Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany Hans Dietrich Genscher, Minister Pintér said that the first brick of the Berlin wall was taken out in Sopronpuszta in August 1989. At the same time, he thanked the police officers for helping Hungary to become a part of Europe, emphasizing that this step helped the creation of a united Europe.
By opening the borders, a new kind of cooperation was established with neighbouring countries, especially with Austria, the Minister added, mentioning that cooperation between the two countries has a century-long history. He also expressed his wish to continue this so as to ensure that both countries flourish and develop.
According to Austrian Minister of Interior Johanna Mikl-Leitner, twenty-five years ago it was unthinkable for countries on the two sides of the iron curtain to maintain friendships or economic relations. She added that the opening of the border had its social and economic effects not only on Hungary but on Austria as well.