On the occasion of the National Day of Hungary, the 55 th anniversary of the 1956 revolution and freedom fight and the 22 nd anniversary of the proclamation of the republic, Ambassador Gábor Iván gave a reception in Zagreb Mimara museum on 20 th of October. In his speech Gábor Iván praised the domestic and global political significance of the 1956 revolution and Hungary's accession to the European alliance system after the proclamation of the republic in 1989. Ambassador welcomed that Croatia would become soon the 28 th member of the European Union. On the festive event attended and spoke Mr. Luka Bebic, the speaker of the Croatian Parliament. He recalled that in 1956 the former Yugoslav embassy in Budapest initially had played a positive role by the temporary admission of revolutionary leaders, but this later had changed. He also praised the exemplary cooperation between Hungary and Croatia which has developed after the declaration of Croatia’s independence. He thanked for the Hungarian support given during the accession process to the Croatian Parliament in the preparation for the twinning program. He recalled that Hungary had been the first who ratified the Croatian accession to the NATO, and expressed his hope that the Hungarian National Assembly acts likewise in the case of the Croatian EU Accession Treaty.

On the festive event Katica Illényi violinist gave an occasional concert, which was adopted a big round of applause by the 200 invited guests. On the event were present the Members of Parliament of the ruling party and Mr. Dénes Sója, MP of the Hungarians in Croatia. The government was represented by Mr. Domagoj Milosevic Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Investment, on behalf of the president's office Mr. Josko Klisovic Head of the Cabinet and senior advisors of the President attended. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs were represented by the Political State Secretary and the Secretary of State for Integration, from other ministries also state secretaries and heads of department participated. A large number of the members of the Diplomatic Corps attended as well. The representatives of the Croatian cultural, scientific and public life, the Church and the leaders of the Hungarian community in Croatia, including the President and Vice President of the Democratic Community of the Hungarians in Croatia also took part on the event.