Sógor: Hungarian interests must be represented in the EP regardless of state borders

The Hungarian Association of Hannover is one of the oldest Hungarian associations abroad and it has been aiding emigrants as far back as 1956. Since then it has been regularly helping Hungarians arriving in Hannover from Serbia in the 70’s, Transylvania in the 80’s and from all over the Hungarian speaking regions after the fall of communism in Easter Europe. The goal of the association is to bring the Hungarians living in the Hannover region together and protect the Hungarian language, culture and customs. To this regard, the association regularly organizes events and invites Hungarian speaking artists, writers, scientists.

Mr. Sógor Csaba, member of the European Parliament (MEP) was the latest guest of these events. The subject of the discussion was the Hungarian advocacy in the EP. In his speech the MEP presented the work of the European Parliament (EP) and the Hungarian delegation underlining that together with his Hungarian colleagues they are working on European regulation regarding national minorities so all Hungarian communities living outside Hungary have a set of specific rights they can depend on. These regulations would guarantee that traditional national minorities would receive special protection ensuring the long term fulfillment of the European Union’s (EU) motto: „unity in diversity”.

The MEP reasoned that he sees no reason why Hungarians living in Slovakia or Romania should not have the same rights as Catalans have in Spain. Also, this legislation would regulate all issues regarding the national minorities in Europe, so it would be a guarantee for the survival of the Hungarian community in Germany. „The role of the EU is to ensure specific measures are fulfilled between its borders. We should have regulations concerning the national minorities besides the economical or for that matter ecological regulation. It is as an important an aspect as any of our European community” – said the MEP.

Answering questions Mr. Sógor Csaba informed the audience about the fact that Hungarian representatives are playing an increasingly important role in the EP. Hungarian influence is growing with the election of Mr. Schmitt Pál as the Vice-president of the EP and with several MEP’s taking leading roles in their respective committees. „This way we can represent the Hungarian interest more effectively” – concluded the MEP.