Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

Conflicting Romanian-Hungarian Political Statements

A speech given last week by far-right Hungarian leader Gabor Vona continues to have echoes in Romanian politics.

Conflicting Romanian-Hungarian Political Statements
Afiş cu aşa numitul "Ţinut Secuiesc". Foto: Arhivă Agerpres.

Articol de Radio România Internaţional, 14 August 2013, 13:01

The main message sent by Gabor Vona to the 1.4 million Hungarian ethnics in Romania was the need to carry on the struggle for regional autonomy within the Romanian state.

The former leader of the Hungarian Guard extremist movement, banned in 2009, said it was Hungary’s duty to plead for autonomy before the EU and that Jobbik party will defend the rights and interests of the Hungarians in Transylvania, even if that entailed a conflict with Romania.

The Romanian government was quick to respond, and firmly condemned Vona’s statements, mentioning that autonomy on ethnic criteria is not among the European standard policies for national minorities. At the same time, Bucharest views the statement about a possible conflict between Hungary and Romania as extremely serious, obsolete and condemnable.

The President of Romania, Traian Basescu, also made a point of expressing his views on the statements that several Hungarian politicians made repeatedly, on Romanian territory. According to the head of the Romanian state, a number of practices reminding of Stalin’s era have turned Hungary into a factor of instability in the region.

Traian Basescu: “Several countries are concerned with Budapest’s aggressive minority policy. Romania has so far been reserved about it, but we believe a point has been reached when we need to leave our reserves aside and when Budapest must be taught its place.”

In response to the statements made by the Romanian president, the Hungarian Foreign Ministry said Hungary was committed to maintaining stability in the region and to guaranteeing the rights of ethnic minorities.

President Basescu’s harsh statements took the leaders of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania by surprise, particularly considering that this party supported Basescu in the latest presidential election. Here is the leader of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, Kelemen Hunor.

Kelemen Hunor: “When a head of state makes such a statement, things become complicated, and we don’t need this, particularly when it comes to Romania and Hungary and the relations between them. However, any statement or position of the kind Vona made must be denounced.”

This indicates that politicians in Romania have at least one common view, namely that in the 21st Century nationalist and extremist parties are no longer acceptable in any society.

The National Audiovisual Council has removed several videos posted online
News in English 17 Aprilie 2025, 21:29

The National Audiovisual Council has removed several videos posted online

The National Audiovisual Council has removed in recent days a number of illegal online materials from TikTok, Facebook and X....

The National Audiovisual Council has removed several videos posted online
"Romania is and will remain a pillar of transatlantic cohesion on NATO's Eastern flank"
News in English 16 Aprilie 2025, 18:45

"Romania is and will remain a pillar of transatlantic cohesion on NATO's Eastern flank"

After the talks with the delegation of American congressmen, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu emphasized in a press release that...

"Romania is and will remain a pillar of transatlantic cohesion on NATO's Eastern flank"
Recently recovered Dacian bracelet on display at the National Museum of History
News in English 16 Aprilie 2025, 18:44

Recently recovered Dacian bracelet on display at the National Museum of History

From Wednesday, April 16, another Dacian gold bracelet, recovered by Romanian judicial authorities at the end of last year,...

Recently recovered Dacian bracelet on display at the National Museum of History
US Congress delegation met with Ilie Bolojan
News in English 15 Aprilie 2025, 16:52

US Congress delegation met with Ilie Bolojan

Eight members of the United States Congress, Democrats and Republicans, met this morning in Bucharest with Acting President...

US Congress delegation met with Ilie Bolojan
Romania has the fourth lowest minimum wage in the European Union
News in English 15 Aprilie 2025, 16:51

Romania has the fourth lowest minimum wage in the European Union

Romania has the fourth lowest minimum wage in the European Union, equivalent to €814. At the bottom are Bulgaria,...

Romania has the fourth lowest minimum wage in the European Union
Draft law bans military and police officers from working as mercenaries or in private security services
News in English 14 Aprilie 2025, 17:54

Draft law bans military and police officers from working as mercenaries or in private security services

A draft law banning military, police and law enforcement personnel from working as mercenaries or in private security...

Draft law bans military and police officers from working as mercenaries or in private security services
Bears can be shot on sight
News in English 14 Aprilie 2025, 17:52

Bears can be shot on sight

Under a draft emergency ordinance put out to public debate by the Environment Ministry, bears will be allowed to be shot...

Bears can be shot on sight
Minister of Finance: State operating costs must be reduced
News in English 12 Aprilie 2025, 20:04

Minister of Finance: State operating costs must be reduced

State running costs must be cut, said Finance Minister Tanczos Barna, who warned ministries to take action. Speaking to a TV...

Minister of Finance: State operating costs must be reduced