 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Being the last, 12th candidate, I could be among the first Hungarian Members of the European Parliament thanks to the trust of the citizens who voted for Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Party. For me, who was not an active politician before, it became a part of my destiny to represent the interest of the Hungarian communities living outside of Hungary, and from 1 May outside of the European Union too, and to enforce the national interests of Hungary, as a part of my mandate. The protection and support of human-, minority- and freedom rights derive from my professional background and personal attitude. The task was complex but I was given the necessary tools: memberships in parliamentary committees where these questions were to be raised. I became member and, in January 2007, Vice-President on the Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, which deals with the human-, freedom and minority rights within the Union. I also became member of the Human Rights Subcommittee, and substitute of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to which the human and minority rights enforcement in third countries belongs. Being the Vice-President of the EU-Romania Joint Parliamentary Committee enabled me to be a close witness of the last section of the Romanian accession process. Whether we have succeeded in clearing the tiny, blurred picture painted by the Union about the Hungarian communities, their problems and the solution of those – well, my answer is definitely positive. Whether we have been successful in representing at the Union’s level the interests of the Hungarian people – again, I say yes, we have been. That the Union may help us enforce our interests, that a strong Union strengthens us, as well, is true. We should bear in mind, however, that it is not going to solve our problems instead of us. We cannot blame the Union for the questions which are not handled correctly by the governments, for wrecking the future of the traditional national minorities instead of ensuring a safe haven for it. One swallow does not make a summer, but many a swallow does gruelling work amongst us, and others help with good will or empathy to enhance the spring. This builds up most of our parliamentary work: finding partners, cooperation and the empathy felt towards each other in any corner of Europe. Let me hand over to you the compressed summary of my five-years mandate instead of my business card.  Kinga Gál |
|
 Back |
|
|
|
