The Prime Minister stressed that in Europe today order, peace and security can no longer be taken for granted, and we must make an ever greater effort “to maintain the order of the thousands of years of our civilisation”. At times like this, he said, order and peace and the role of their custodians and defenders become more precious.

Mr. Orbán said that the Hungarian people want to live in peace and security, and therefore in the future will continue to need – even more than today, bearing in mind Europe’s current situation – brave, well-trained men and women in uniform, who love their country and their nation.

The Prime Minister stated that Hungarians expect that they need not fear for their safety, either in daylight or after dark, either in the countryside or in cities, either in public spaces or in their homes; and they expect that they need not fear for the physical safety of themselves or their loved loves, for their dignity, for their personal possessions or for the country’s assets. They also expect the police to set an example in the restoration of legal order, respect for societal rules and observance of the law, the Prime Minister said, adding that those working in law enforcement must therefore be unwavering and above reproach.

Mr. Orbán told the graduating cadets that they had not only obtained degrees, but had also taken an oath; they were now ready to enter service, and with their oath they had pledged themselves to preserving both Hungary’s legal system and its statehood of one thousand years’ standing. He added that there is no doubt that they chose their vocation through love of Hungary, their homeland and nation, and Hungary’s culture, and that they believe that these are important things which must be jointly defended.

In Mr. Orbán’s words, “The order that you will defend was born of freedom. Exercising their freedom, the Hungarian people decided what kind of country they wanted for themselves. We are all executors of that will.”  He drew the new officers’ attention to the fact that while laws are adopted by Parliament, “it falls to you to ensure that laws are observed”.

In closing, he asked them to set a good example for everyone in terms of humanity, determination and respect for the law.

Attendees at the ceremony in Kapisztrán tér included Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér and Minister of Defence Tibor Benkő.

The 218 graduating students from the National University of Public Service’s Faculty of Law Enforcement took their oaths as officers in front of Hungary’s historical flags and a replica of the Holy Crown. Of this total, 170 of them will serve in the Police Force, while the others will work at the National Tax and Customs Administration, the Prison Service and the National Directorate General for Disaster Management.

The press material distributed at the ceremony stated that the Faculty of Law Enforcement’s training courses continue to be very popular, with some courses receiving almost ten times as many applicants as places available.

The cadets who took their oaths today will enter service on 2 July.