Observing human rights, including the rights of ethnic Hungarians, is a key issue in terms of relations between Hungary and Romania, foreign affairs state secretary Zsolt Nemeth told a press conference on Tuesday.
Nemeth said that the Hungarian minority’s boycott of Romania’s referendum on Sunday had been connected to recent political trends in that country, and to “developments suggesting a policy of intimidation”.
The state secretary mentioned problems concerning Hungarian courses at the medical university of Targu Mures (Marosvasarhely), as well as a Romanian court decision preventing the restitution of a Reformed college building, as examples.
“It is possible to govern against ethnic Hungarians, but it is not worth doing so. Last weekend’s referendum shows that”, Nemeth said.
Nemeth referred to Romanian President Traian Basescu’s positive role in the development of good bilateral relations, adding that the president’s continuation in office after the invalid referendum would continue to positively impact Hungarian-Romanian ties.
Nemeth said that Hungary was open to cooperation with Romania irrespective of the composition of that country’s government.
Nemeth also said that it was crucial for ethnic Hungarians to participate in Romania’s general election in the autumn. He added that the Hungarian minority could not have any goal other than to strengthen its own political representation, an endeavour the Hungarian government was ready to support.
