Lecture held by Csaba Sógor in Zalău
At the invitation of the Hungarian Cultural Society of Transylvania (EMKE) of Zalău MEP Csaba Sógor held a lecture at the association in front of a full house on Friday afternoon. The MEP from Transylvania talked about the subject of minority protection but also about the importance of voting at the EP elections.
In his lecture, among others, Sógor talked about the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and about the European Council’s European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The latter document gives clear indications on the way regional or minority languages must be protected and was adopted by Romania in 2008. The charter requires from signatory states that these languages be used in education, media services and administration, but also in other areas of life, as on street signs or in healthcare. The MEP showed that actions must be taken so that the provisions of the charter are implemented in Romania, too.
The representative of RMDSZ in the European Parliament showed that at present the issue of national minorities in the EU is a complicated one because it is still considered to be of national competence. „However, in the institutions of the EU there already is a feeling that in a not-too-distant timeframe the EU must also intervene in this field. This fact is also demonstrated by the EP’s resolution adopted in February, according to which, in the field of traditional national minorities, regional linguistic groups and autonomous regions there is a need for a comprehensive EU-level protection system”, explained the MEP.
According to Sógor, the future and security of national minorities will only be ensured following an agreement with the majority. „We, Hungarian MEPs from Transylvania, have the task to work towards the goal that in minority issues Romania does not follow the example of states such as France or Greece, where the centralised state apparatus and fear of minorities lead to waste of energy and money, but that of countries which understood that leading positive policies in the field of minorities also has economic advantages”, showed the MEP, according to which political activity must be complemented with civil society action. Sometimes we have to take to the streets and show the power of the community, at other times we have to sit down to negotiate and make compromises. If these two mechanisms are harmoniously used, they can strengthen each-other”, emphasized the MEP.
Answering to the questions of the audience, the Transylvanian politician also mentioned that in the past seven years, he did not miss any occasion in Brussels or Strasbourg to talk about the problems the Hungarian community from Transylvania faces. „I wish to continue to do this, but I also consider that it is equally important for us to familiarise the European public with our culture, traditions and values, so that we are understood, accepted and supported”, presented Sógor his view on the work to be carried out in the European Parliament.
The representative of RMDSZ in the European Parliament showed that at present the issue of national minorities in the EU is a complicated one because it is still considered to be of national competence. „However, in the institutions of the EU there already is a feeling that in a not-too-distant timeframe the EU must also intervene in this field. This fact is also demonstrated by the EP’s resolution adopted in February, according to which, in the field of traditional national minorities, regional linguistic groups and autonomous regions there is a need for a comprehensive EU-level protection system”, explained the MEP.
According to Sógor, the future and security of national minorities will only be ensured following an agreement with the majority. „We, Hungarian MEPs from Transylvania, have the task to work towards the goal that in minority issues Romania does not follow the example of states such as France or Greece, where the centralised state apparatus and fear of minorities lead to waste of energy and money, but that of countries which understood that leading positive policies in the field of minorities also has economic advantages”, showed the MEP, according to which political activity must be complemented with civil society action. Sometimes we have to take to the streets and show the power of the community, at other times we have to sit down to negotiate and make compromises. If these two mechanisms are harmoniously used, they can strengthen each-other”, emphasized the MEP.
Answering to the questions of the audience, the Transylvanian politician also mentioned that in the past seven years, he did not miss any occasion in Brussels or Strasbourg to talk about the problems the Hungarian community from Transylvania faces. „I wish to continue to do this, but I also consider that it is equally important for us to familiarise the European public with our culture, traditions and values, so that we are understood, accepted and supported”, presented Sógor his view on the work to be carried out in the European Parliament.
