The autonomy of Transylvanian Hungarians is a cause for all Hungarians as the achievements of Romania's ethnic Hungarian minority have an impact on the entire Hungarian nation and Hungary itself, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zsolt Németh, told a conference, marking the 20th anniversary of the Cluj (Kolozsvár) Declaration.

The document issued by the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) made it clear that Romania's Hungarian community is a political entity and a constituent factor, an equal partner to the Romanian nation, one that seeks to proceed on the road towards internal self-determination.

Addressing the event organised by the Hungarian National Council of Transylvania (EMNT) and the Transylvanian Hungarian People's Party (EMNP), State Secretary Németh said there was a social demand for the autonomy of Romania's Hungarian community and a chance to reach that goal. He emphasised that the demand for autonomy should not divide but connect members of the community.

The State Secretary said that during his recent visit to Budapest Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean initiated a Romanian-Hungarian dialogue which covers even the "tough issues".

"During the talks, we should make it clear what we want and that what we have achieved is for, rather than against them," he added.

(MTI, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)