The Faculty for Applied Humanities and Pedagogy of the St. Stephen University of Szarvas, eastern Hungary held a conference entitled “European National and Minority Identity and Culture” on Wednesday, at which Deputy State Secretary for Minority and Civil Social Relations Csaba Latorcai gave an overview of the legal changes affecting national minorities in Hungary.

With the national minority registration for the upcoming general elections coming to a close, Mr. Latorcai gave a detailed account of legal changes that benefit minorities, the rules governing the election of minority representatives and the future role of minority MPs and the minority spokesman in Parliament.

He said the successful minority policy of the Hungarian Government is exemplary even in a global context. “The Hungarian Constitution defines national minorities as constituent entities, which also means that the country’s thirteen national minorities are a part of the Hungarian political nation, while at the same time preserving their original identities. We can therefore conclude that we have created both the legal framework and the political atmosphere in which national minorities can freely profess their identity, giving these groups a sound perspective for preserving their status in Hungary” – Mr. Latorcai said.

(Ministry of Human Resources)