On Sunday, Gergely Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office signed the European Citizens’ Initiative about national regions, the purpose of which is to ensure that national regional characteristics should also be taken into consideration upon the distribution of the EU cohesion funds which serve to eliminate economic gaps within the European Union.

At his Sunday press conference, the Minister highlighted that for six years the Szekler National Council was engaged in a legal battle before the European Court to obtain the possibility of launching its citizens’ initiative, and this battle was finally won.

He pointed out that it is extremely important that there should be cases in the European Union in which citizens are able to express their will.

Mr Gulyás indicated that, as part of the citizens’ initiative, by 7 May 2020, one million signatures would have to be collected in minimum seven EU countries in order for the European Union to deal with the issue on its merits.

The Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office highlighted that the minority protection initiative Minority Safepack had previously been successfully seen through, and as a result, the European Parliament will now have to place it on its agenda.

He stressed that the mere fact that certain issues are placed on the agenda of European institutions does not provide a full guarantee for their resolution. However, regardless of this, we must not resign the possibility that, in consequence of such citizens’ initiatives, Hungarian national minorities may be granted excess rights, and may be helped with catching up with other communities, improving their living standards and preserving their own culture.

Mr Gulyás also said they had welcomed Hungary’s accession to the EU because they were hoping that, in contrast to communist politics oppressing national minorities, in the EU the importance of borders would become secondary and everyone would have the possibility of professing their identity. “While we have been disappointed in a great many things, we still believe that when it comes to the rule of law in the European Union, the individual and collective rights that national minorities are entitled to are one of its most important aspects,” he argued.

The Minister said it is important that also in Hungary as many people should support the initiative as possible, and the simplest way to do so is to sign the initiative at the website www.nemzetiregiok.eu.

At the same time, Mr Gulyás asked every party and non-governmental organisation in Hungary to help with the collection of signatures, and further informed the press that the Rákóczi Association indicated they would help the organisers of the initiative.

Balázs Izsák, President of the Szekler National Council thanked the government for its help, also underlining that they had the support of the Hungarian cabinet throughout the six-year EU lawsuit instituted for the implementation of the citizens’ initiative.

Speaking about the significance of EU membership, he said before the fall of communism they never even dared to dream about the possibility that one day the Szekler community and the Hungarian government could take action together before a European forum in the interest of the protection of the rights of the Szekler people. “This is what is good about the European Union,” he added.

The head of the Szekler National Council further highlighted that in the detached territories there are regions with Hungarian majority populations which have preserved their national characteristics to this day. Therefore, the purpose of the citizens’ initiative is to enable these territories to preserve their regional identities. “They should remain Hungarian, Szeklerland should remain Szekler, but the same also applies to Kalotaszeg, Érmellék, Partium, the Hungarian-majority territories of Upper Hungary (Slovakia),” he said.

Mr Izsák indicated that in order to achieve their goal they would need the support of both the Hungarian government and Hungarian society.

In answer to a question, Mr Gulyás said Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is on a private visit to Saint Petersburg.

The Minister said in answer to another question that the whole country can be proud of the fact that in 2027 Hungary will have the opportunity to host the World Aquatics Championships again. He stressed that after hosting the event two years ago – which was a huge national success – there would be no need for building any new sports facilities, meaning that only organisational expenses would emerge which would most certainly be exceeded by the proceeds of the event.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/MTI)