Hungary will not give up its sovereignty

“United in diversity, the European Community is built on this idea, and Hungary joined the European Union bowing to this idea. We respect this principle and we always try to act accordingly”, declared the President of the Republic Tamás Sulyok in the Brdo Castle in Slovenia, where he met the heads of state of Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Italy. He added that at the meeting he presented a position contrary to the federalist approach that is increasingly gaining ground in European politics.

– remarked the head of state, who is worried by the world political events of recent months. The ever-increasing conflicts in the world put millions at risk.

During the hearing, he also recalled that Hungary is carrying out one of the largest humanitarian missions in its history, helping the Ukrainians.

“We stand for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and have condemned Russia’s military aggression from the beginning. We are committed to peace, and we seek to draw the attention of the international community in all forums to avoid any steps that may lead to escalation or war. Hungary is doing everything to ensure that the European Union and NATO do not become part of this conflict. We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks of Hamas and support Israel’s right to self-defense. The stability of the Middle East is a common European interest, and the European Union must play a role in resolving the conflict as soon as possible,” he said.

The plenary session also discussed climate change, which is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, and everyone agrees on this. Tamás Sulyok said that the Carpathian Basin is one of the regions that is warming more than average, so it is a particularly important matter for Hungary as well.

– He told.

In response to a question, the head of state said, “the European Union is there for debate, it is an important area of ​​dialogue. Where there is a significant difference of opinion between certain member states, including Hungary, and the Union, is actually the connection between the constitutional order of the member states and the legal order of the Union. In our opinion, the values, principles and goals contained in the EU treaties are not independent of the member states, but rather developed from the constitutional order of the member states and were rooted in it,” he emphasized. These are the basic principles that developed from the constitutions of the member states and should continue to serve as the basis of integration. Hungary also considers these to be extremely important.

said Tamás Sulyok.

Slovenia has benefited from membership

Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar spoke after the meeting about how the EU unifies opposing views in the name of diversity. “Our region has a different history, culture, and language, which can be a role model for the Balkans. The EU is united in many fundamental issues, for example in their human rights, in the issue of the rule of law.”

He emphasized that the past twenty years in the EU have only benefited Slovenia. It has built rich friendly relations with neighboring countries, and the national minorities living there are bridges between the states. The Slovenian head of state recalled that his country had received a lot of help from its neighbors in recent years, for example during floods.

He emphasized that the EU is facing geopolitical challenges, and Slovenia is doing everything to ensure peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. Regarding migration challenges, he said that he welcomes the cooperation established by the authorities of neighboring countries. According to the president, the strength of the EU lies in its growth potential, which is why he is committed to enlargement. On the occasion of Earth Day, each head of state received a sapling to plant in his own country.

A compromise is needed

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic emphasized that they support the enlargement of the EU, but all candidates must decide their political views on where they want to belong.

“There are forces in the EU today that oppose enlargement,” he added. He noted that Croatia has so far failed to take advantage of all the advantages that EU membership has provided, and this must definitely be changed.

He also touched on the fact that the EU is not a homogenous region, and compromise is necessary when making decisions, to choose a path that suits everyone.

“We can’t put everyone under one hat, we are not the United States of Europe, and that’s okay,” he pointed out, then added that the principle of unanimity must be maintained in EU decisions. In addition, the fact that the EU overplans and overthinks everything must be changed.

Decisions must be made in time

Italian President Sergio Mattarella pointed out that the same way of thinking as in 2004 is needed on the issue of enlargement. Challenges and global events demand this.

“Some of the countries that contribute to the life of the European Union today find themselves on the verge of a terrible war caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. The condition of these countries bordering on war would be different if they were not firmly part of the Union. And here we see the value of timely decisions. History always shows the account of missed opportunities, and then the peoples are the ones who will later pay dearly for it,” said Matarella, who believes that institutional reforms are needed in the EU. Those who can make decisions quickly are at the forefront. Today, the EU cannot meet this.

– He told.

Austrian Federal President Alexander van der Bellen, speaking about the expansion, emphasized that not only the countries that want integration should do for the accession, but that everyone should also clean up around their own house. Regarding the 2004 enlargement, he said that Austria benefited enormously from the EU.

he said. He added that it is outdated to distinguish between new and old member states.

Cover photo: President Tamás Sulyok (Photo: Origo / Balázs Ladóczki)