Solidarity and joint efforts – sources of common understanding in the Carpathian Basin
The European Parliament’s Intergroup for Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages held its last meeting this year on the 15th of December in Strasbourg. The agenda presented several topics: a presentation of The Movement of Reconciliation and the Charter of Reconciliation, an analysis of the situation of Slovakian citizens deprived of their citizenship in the presence of Olivér Boldoghy and the presentation of an English volume about the work and fate of János Esterházy.
The Movement of Reconciliation was initiated by Hungarian MEP László Surján, based on the belief that reconciliation is crucial for the people of the Carpathian Basin in the 21st century. The Movement is not an organization, but primarily a attitude towards life that intends to nurture good neighborly relations between governments in the regions aided by citizens, NGOs and churches.
Anyone who accepts its these values can join the Movement. DAHR’s MEP Csaba Sógor saluted the youth of the movement and asked them not to give up on Hungarian-Romanian cooperation. He also warned about the youth movements of previous generations that have all slowly faded into insignificance. The MEP feels that this is due to the old socialist spirit of the Romanian partners who interpreted multiculturalism rather one-sidedly. – Together and not apart, you said (young Hungarians and Romanians from Covasna County), not only the minority should know and love the values of the majority.
Referring to the situation of the Slovakian citizens – including a 99 year old lady – whose citizenship has been revoked, MEP Csaba Sógor said that the situation is revolting. He told Olivér Boldoghy that they have the MEPs’ support and that he and his colleagues will use every opportunity to direct attention to the issue.
The Hungarian MEP from Transylvania regrets that Slovakian Christian-Democrat MEPs have not made their opinion public and suggested that the Hungarian ecumenical council should address a letter to their sister churches in Slovakia so that these will raise their voice against “the law that is contradictory to Christian values, inhumane, anti-minority and infringing upon the spirit of the Lisbon Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.”
In the picture: Csaba Sógor, Kinga Gál, Olivér Boldoghy
