Successful, triumphant and strong Europe is needed

Distinguished Mr President, Distinguished Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I stand here before you with great joy and pride.

I was happy to return here, to this important scene of my life and my career, to my friends, to the European Parliament, where I served for six years as a member.

Thank you for inviting me.

This is an arena of decisive importance, where every politician, every public actor stands to learn a lot. I think it is no coincidence that many Presidents and Ministers sat in these rows earlier. This is good news for Europe, because it benefits from leading politicians who are well schooled in the not always easy art of European dialogue, who see their own national causes in a community dimension. Politicians, who are not only able to represent interests, but have also learnt how to reconcile different interests.

This is the civilizational legacy and the mission of Europe today.

The European Parliament is a prime example of the important role that parliamentarism, the culture of open debate plays in European thinking.

The Parliament, with its increased powers set forth in the Lisbon Treaty, is a guarantee for democratic decision-making. Restraint and attentive openness to others is what fits best into its traditions.

Therefore, Hungary, as the current presidency of the Council of the European Union, readily cooperates with the European Parliament. Because what we have here is not a simple laboratory of legislation, but much more: the soul of Europe.

Distinguished Members,

Indeed, Europe has its own market, its own currency, its own policies and laws – but it also has a soul and a spirit.

I am aware of the fact that the everyday work here is mainly about the practical details. However, the crisis situations of the recent past have also shown what happens if we consider the fate of people with a mere financial, technocratic approach, and disregard the main objectives, the principles that keep things where they belong.

Jean Monnet, who we appreciate as one of the fathers of past-war partnership, who as an economist did not only dream of mere economic unity for Europe, but also said at the time: “we need true European efforts”. In addition, as he said elsewhere: “We are not forming coalitions of states, we are uniting men”.

Jean Monnet described the spirit of the discussions, which were about to open: “We are here to undertake a common task - not to negotiate for our own national advantage, but to seek it to the advantage of all. Only if we eliminate from our debates any particularist feelings shall we reach a solution. So far, as we gathered here, can change our methods, the attitude of all Europeans will likewise gradually change”.

More than six decades have passed since.

Do we still take these initial ideas seriously?

From the outset, this alliance was more than a community of coal and steel. Its founding fathers brought it to life to guarantee peace with a view to establishing a strong Europe. It has changed a lot since: today, more than 500 million citizens of 27 countries live in the European Union. It is not easy to establish consensus among half a billion people.

I consider it a special grace that Hungary assumed the rotating presidency now, in the midst of grave dilemmas, struggles, and fateful issues. Because it is in times like these that one has the greatest need for the kind of virtues that my country has.

It should be said that struggles of present times are never fought instead of us by the spirit of our forefathers.

Still, we Hungarians can rightly be proud that – in the words of our composer Ferenc Liszt, born 200 years ago – “we are the sons of inherently free people.”

We live in a country which, thanks to King St. Stephen, was established as a tolerant, accommodating, multiethnic, Christian community which looks back on one thousand years of statehood and which testified to its deep rooted love of freedom with revolutions.

With 15 March, Hungary’s national holiday approaching, we have to remember the many struggles that Hungarians have fought; not only the 1848 revolution, but every other struggle, as well.

I am thinking of the 1956 revolution and freedom fight, that many of you may also remember which secured us rights and prestige. Which never allowed us to forget the notion of fraternity and solidarity. We Hungarians have struggled too much to be indifferent about the struggles of others, to leave the problems of others without word.

We look with special sensitivity at the events that are happening south of us, in the Arab world. We understand people’s desire for freedom. Their desire for something that is, without doubt, there in every person and in the heart of all people. What happened was not a miracle and perhaps not all that unexpected. It is not possible to suppress forever the instinctive desire of any people for freedom. It will erupt, sooner or later.

It is the common task of the European Union to protect the interests of its own citizens, and to perform its humanitarian obligations. To support with its own means peaceful transition, the right to a decent life in one’s own land of birth.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

If solidarity is mentioned, permit me to list a few of the terms used in the Schumann-plan: “de-facto solidarity”, “creative efforts”, “fusion of interests”, “deeper community.”

I honestly believe that these are not words, stripped of their meaning, that have to appear frequently in every document adopted in the Union.

I am sure that these are deep emotions, on which European unity and post-war reconstruction could be built in the past, which in the end brought back the countries of Central-Eastern Europe, which had been oppressed by dictatorships, to the community.

Every single point in the Hungarian presidency program takes these basic principles seriously.

Everything we plan, everything we work for can be described with these two often used, yet still very powerful, words which we always have to return to: responsibility and solidarity.

Let us enumerate, where we wish to strengthen these.

1. Solidarity in finances

We know that protecting the euro is the first among the common tasks. This is an issue for every Member State, because European competitiveness depends on all of us together, every country that is inside and outside of the euro zone.

Hungary is already setting a good example when, taking after our Polish friends, we are trying to curb state indebtedness with strong legislative measures in the new Constitution that is being drafted. My country has committed itself to very significant measures to reduce spending, to alleviate the current level of debt, and to reduce the budgetary deficit to a level that is under the European average.

Meanwhile, we expect countries that have already introduced the euro to regain the confidence in the common currency.

The introduction of the European semester serves the purpose of common competitiveness: it allows Member States to share with each other their budgetary plans before these are approved nationally and to set country specific objectives. I sincerely hope that it will be successfully introduced during the Hungarian Presidency hence it could be called the “Budapest Semester”.

Please allow me to quote Jean Monnet again, who called it an important virtue of a community, that its members “instead of a (...) confrontation, will let themselves be mutually influenced, (...) and eventually pass naturally to dialogue, to common action”.

I know that common action still has contested elements today, but I honestly hope that these will be clarified before the economic and financial discussions, scheduled to be held soon.

Prevention is the magic word. This can help to ensure that financial crises of individual countries do not come unexpected for the Union, and allows it to react to them. It is easier to prevent a crisis than to recover from it.

2. Responsibility for recovery

Solidarity in a community of this size could mean that more attention is paid to the destiny of individual people on the one hand, smaller-larger communities and whole regions on the other. The citizens of the Union deserve equal opportunities. This can be promoted with good cohesion policy, the most important cornerstones of which have been agreed on. It is important that Europe should not be torn apart from the point of view of competiveness.

3. Solidarity and unity on the energy market

Strongly related to cohesion is the endeavour to establish an integrated energy market. This in order to reduce energy dependency and vulnerability, and to provide an unrestricted flow of gas and electricity in the whole of Europe.

The events in North Africa also indicate how important it is to reduce unilateral dependence and to link together fragmented energy grids. The development of the internal energy market requires investment, investment requires funding, and finding funds requires agreement.

4. Responsibility at the macro-regional level

Just like the Barcelona-process in the southern part of Europe and the Baltic Strategy in the north provide a framework for harmonising regional development, now the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are also seeking opportunities for more efficient cooperation.

The Danube Region Strategy is taking shape in about 40 different programs, with the participation of 14 countries, providing an excellent proof of the notion that neighbourhood, which is often mentioned as a geographical constraint, can also be looked upon as a geopolitical asset.

We are very much looking forward to having the Danube, one of our natural bonds, the river testifying to our eternal reliance on each other; help us through the strategy that is to be approved in June. We look on it as a green corridor, an economic potential, the engine of common projects, a developing transportation route, and a cultural link. Hungary is playing an initiative role in the development of the strategy and is managing the practical work in the field of common water management and in environment protection 

5. Responsibility on the borders

Europe has to be able to react to the rapid global changes. However, no change happening should justify any action on our part that is contrary to our interests, to have us running from one side of the ship to the other, and in doing so to strengthen the impact of the not so insignificant waves.

I know that many people will raise the issue of southern or eastern partnership as a question of either-or, saying that the current situation dictates that we turn with our full attention to the southern borders of Europe. However, we can only provide adequate responses to the evolving situations – let us admit that there will always be such situations – if we are standing firmly on our feet in all quarters of the Earth. If the Union forgets this, it is acting against its own interests, it is weakening itself. We can always expect unexpected events wherever we pass up on being proactive. This is also true the other way round: we will always be more prepared to manage problems wherever we have well-functioning relations.

Eastern Partnership is not a Hungarian or a Polish priority. Even if it seems specific to our situation, it is much more about common vision. Nothing proves this better than the fact that Poland and Hungary will co-host the partnership summit during the second half of the year.   

6. Solidarity with those seeking to join

The coalition of states that founded the European Union has always kept its doors open. They did this to articulate that every democratic country wishing to join on its own accord, which accepts its basic principles, may become a member of the community.

This, on the one hand means that there are clear-cut conditions of belonging to the alliance. On the other hand, we also have a responsibility for countries outside the Union: for all those countries that consider membership to be their objective and are making substantial efforts to this end. This aspiration for accession demands clear responses, explicit conditions, evident schedules and perspectives for the countries of the Western Balkans, but for Turkey and Iceland also.   

7. Responsibility for minorities

Article 3 of the Lisbon Treaty stipulates that: “The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.”

It is true that cultural diversity is the essence, the source of the vitality of Europe.

As a national manifestation of this in Hungary, minorities will be given the right to be directly represented in the next parliament, the size of which will be reduced by half.

The manner in which Hungary stands for the interests of Hungarians living abroad is also entirely in harmony with this basic tenet. We are in a special situation; it is our constitutional obligation to stand up for the minority rights of autochthonous Hungarian minorities living abroad, for their right of the use of language and of self-government.

Could we consider ourselves good Europeans if we did not do so?

It is precisely the Union which provides the legal and spiritual framework for us, in that this ceases to be an issue. Finally we have every chance to overcome historic grudges, to stop mourning about geographical separation and to celebrate our spiritual and emotional belonging without any territorial claims. This is what we have codified in law.

This firm foundation is in the interest of all. This makes for loyal, satisfied, assertive citizens who, with their culture and traditions, will enrich and enhance diversity.

8. Finally, on our responsibility for the Roma

The Hungarian Presidency considers it one of its important missions to establish an efficient and viable Roma Strategy for the Union. Lívia Járóka, the only representative of the 12 million strong Roma community in Europe elected as an MEP in Hungary, has already tabled her proposals.

It is my conviction that we need a common plan of action. However, in order to eliminate poverty, it is indispensable beyond the social measures for us to firmly reject prejudice and to establish a supportive cultural and educational environment. All of which is not a question of money or coordination, but of humanity and creativity.

Distinguished Mr President, esteemed Members of Parliament,

We know well that the rotating presidency is predominantly about taking the present processes forward. Two seemingly contradicting virtues are required for this: humility and relentlessness.

Humility for the common cause and relentlessness that may bring success.

This is going to be the benchmark for us at the end of our term: did we venture from the designated path; did we manage to lead the debate back to substantial, tangible and constructive issues?

Therefore, the mission of our presidency is to be the engine of processes. To be a player in a team: which is what presidency trios are about. It is possible to show good individual performance, but only if the service done in the interest of community or the team interest remains a primary priority.

We have had to reconsider many things, because it turned out that we were not building our new European life on firm enough foundations.

An era seems to be ending in Europe; significant efforts are being made to find new ways. I tend to believe that we are witnessing a fortunate opportunity. The Union now has a country in the rotating presidency which is carrying out precisely the kind of major, structural reforms that are awaiting the Union, as well. Large, ill-functioning systems, thought to be unchangeable, have to be reorganised, in order to establish conditions that are more resistant to crisis, that promote development and preserve competitiveness.

The fact that today everything in Hungary is about the need for change, about renewal, only makes us more predisposed to shape the common European future. We possess experience which makes it clear that we have to return to a more efficient assertion of community interests.

Hungarians expect and ask from their leaders and representatives – who were conferred unprecedented sovereign power by the people in last year’s general elections – to provide a framework for the new life and to articulate the basic tenets of our future with strong laws and a worthy constitution. Our driving principle is to pass laws, shaping our future, that are in line with Union norms, European traditions and which respect human liberties.

Dear Members,

The Hungarian constitution in force now carries the label of the year 1949. A year when the more fortunate part of Europe already came up with the idea of a Single Market and was an arm’s length away from realizing it.

During the very same year, the Hungarian communist leadership expelled itself from Europe with the show trials, and the country lost its independence for decades by joining the Soviet sphere of influence.

We were shut away from the true Europe, the community to which we had always belonged, by virtue of our traditions. Even the sun was shielded from us.

Whatever a state built on lies lost, was preserved by the Hungarians as a nation. Therefore, I think it is important and it carries a message that the Constitution of Hungary will from now on bear the year 2011 when, as a sort of historic compensation, we could assume the office of the rotating presidency of the European Union. With a lot of work we could, for the first time, also prove our democratic commitment in peaceful and constructive conditions, and could put our Hungarian resolve in the service of the community.

I think that the suitable moment for drafting a constitution always comes in the life of a nation when it is strong enough to admit to earlier mistakes, and to articulate truths that will be valid for decades to come; and to be perseverant enough to carry out all that it has started. It is equally important to build on European foundations: the human rights chapter of the new Hungarian Constitution will follow the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am a fencer, I participated at the Olympics in this discipline, and therefore, the metallic sound of swords is not alien to my ears. I still do not think that we should be competing in the European political arena today to see who can overcome the other, who can win with force. Our historic mandate is not to wage mere political games of chess and tactical prestige battles, but to serve a cause. To strengthen cohesion and to seek compromise.

Europeans need a successful, triumphant and strong Europe. A Europe which is equally based on the community of interests and values, in which the individual nations are also strong.         

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Permit me to end my speech with a quote about Europe from the popular Hungarian writer, Sándor Márai:

“We need to build this way of life further. We have to fill it with everything that is modern; we have to preserve everything in it that is timeless. (...) We have everything we need, all we need is faith and stubborn will, faith in our role and the will to fight against the tyranny of stupidity and anger. Where can Europeans start this work? What can Hungarians do? I think they have already begun.”

I can only add to this: so be it!

Thank you for listening to me.