By Éva Harangozó
The question of national minorities has been one of the pillars of Hungarian foreign policy since Trianon, i.e. for a hundred years, emphasizes Ferenc Kalmár, Ministerial Representative for the Development of the Hungarian Neighborhood Policy. The politician gave an interview to the Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet on the occasion of the joint event of the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which will take place tomorrow in Strasbourg and will deal with the rights of national minorities, the results achieved so far and the challenges associated with them.
– What is the purpose of the conference?
– Our aim is to keep the issue of national minorities on the agenda. Because we see that the European Commission has refused to initiate EU legislation on the basis of the Minority SafePack initiative, and has thus effectively shaken off the issue of national minorities. In the 1990s, however, the Council of Europe developed documents that still form the basis for the protection of national minorities in Europe today. I believe that the question of national minorities is also linked to the question of stability and peace in Europe. However, the fact that this issue is being brushed off the table by EU lawmakers shows that they do not want to deal with the tense situations, caused by neglecting this issue, such as the question of eastern Ukraine. These tensions may well increase in the future. Between May and November this year, Hungary will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers for the second time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is planning four conferences this year that will deal with promoting effective protection of national minorities. The first stage is tomorrow’s conference in Strasbourg, which will deal with the instruments we currently have for advocating the protection of national minorities in Europe. Between May and November this year, Hungary will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers for the second time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is planning four conferences this year that will deal with promoting effective protection of national minorities. The first stage is tomorrow’s conference in Strasbourg, which will deal with the instruments we currently have for advocating the protection of national minorities in Europe. Between May and November this year, Hungary will hold the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers for the second time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is planning four conferences this year that will deal with promoting effective protection of national minorities. The first stage is tomorrow’s conference in Strasbourg, which will deal with the instruments that we currently have to work for the protection of national minorities in Europe. concerned with promoting effective protection of national minorities. The first stage is tomorrow’s conference in Strasbourg, which will deal with the instruments that we currently have to work for the protection of national minorities in Europe. concerned with promoting effective protection of national minorities. The first stage is tomorrow’s conference in Strasbourg, which will deal with the instruments that we currently have to work for the protection of national minorities in Europe.
– What are the principles that you think are important?
– Firstly, everyone should accept that the issue of national minorities is not a domestic but a European matter. When we talk about protecting national minorities, we mean protecting identity. Because these communities will only survive if they maintain their identity. At the same time, individual and collective rights are necessary to preserve this identity. I would like to note that there have so far been two reports in the life of the Council of Europe that have managed to enforce collective rights: in 2003 the report by the Swiss representative Andreas Gross on autonomy and in 2014 the Kalmar report. The next principle is that nationality should not follow citizenship. The two can be separated. And it is also important that the national communities living on the territory of a country are part of the process of state formation in that country. This is stipulated in the Hungarian Basic Law and the Hungarian Nationality Law. We have formulated the above principles together with the Prime Minister’s envoy, Katalin Szili, and will propose them to the Council of Europe for adoption.
– What instruments are there to protect the rights of national minorities?
– In the mid-1990s, under the pressure of the South Slav wars, two documents were adopted that still form the basis for the protection of national minorities in Europe today. One is the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the other is the Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. These two documents are still in use today: they are binding but not enforceable.
– How do you think the conference will be received tomorrow?
– It has always depended on the political establishment how different countries view the issue of national minorities. In most European countries, the economic climate is not favorable for national minorities, which is why we are trying to keep this issue going. I believe that there is never a last moment, but if we want to preserve the diversity of Europe, which is one of the foundations of European creativity, we must also preserve the different national identities for the future. Among other things, it is cultural diversity that has ensured the development of Europe. But this is only possible if we respect and recognize each other. If the above five principles were adopted by Europe and incorporated into the legal systems of the various Member States, then these could be the basis on which negotiations could begin and results could be achieved. Europe continues to slide economically, its political weight in the world is decreasing. We believe that the only way to stop this development is for nations to unite. If we compete with one another and deal with how to assimilate one another, we will not be able to get results. Then we will all become losers in the global race. But if we work together, there’s a good chance we’ll be winners. This is all the more true for Central and Eastern Europe. This is where the nations should unite to have weight and a voice. When the nations of Europe stand together, European progress and success are guaranteed again.
Source: Magyar Nemzet