Europeanisation, National Identities and Migration ... - europeanization

Integration of Hungary or the Hungarians? 241
the enthusiasm of Diaspora and their supporters in Hungary; thus disappointed
voters may endanger the success of the ruling party at the elections.
The members of the Diaspora who do not benefit, sceptics in the mother society
as well as the majority societies in neighbouring countries, have taken into consideration
the opinion of the Venice Commission from the earliest days. The
Commission endorses the tripartite system involving the representatives of
minorities, the mother country and the home country in the preparation of legal
instruments. If the Diaspora (minority) is part of the nation-building process, the
states have to adopt measures in accordance with international legal obligations,
human rights, sovereignty of parties and political commitments. It means that
unilateral regulation by the mother state in favour of the Diaspora living in another
country may inspire further regional conflicts instead of a durable solution for
national minority protection.
Responsibility for minority protection lies primarily with the home-states. The
Commission notes that kin-states also play a role in the protection and
preservation of their kin-minorities, aiming at ensuring that their genuine
linguistic and cultural links remain strong. Europe has developed as a cultural
unity based on a diversity of interconnected languages and cultural traditions;
cultural diversity constitutes a richness, and acceptance of this diversity is a
precondition to peace and stability in Europe.
The Commission considers, however, that respect for the existing framework
of minority protection must be held as a priority. In this field, multilateral
and bilateral treaties have been stipulated under the umbrella of European
initiatives. The effectiveness of the treaty approach could be undermined, if
these treaties were not interpreted and implemented in good faith in the light
of the principle of good neighbourly relations between States. 14
To conclude, national identity and cultural unity cannot precede security and
sovereignty, while the symbolic and spiritual nation-building should not interfere
with European integration. It is the level of science and art of governance that
determines the extent of migration control, the desire for security, the commitment
to Europeanisation and the strengthening of national identity. For Hungarians the
Diaspora policy or politics means this test will be confronted in future.
Notes
1 This model was adopted by Szántó (1984) when, in his discussion of the Hungarian
Diaspora – without actually mentioning the term ‘Diaspora’ – in the West, he employs
a typology that addresses conjointly the tripartite relationship of the given community
with Hungary, with the host country and the ethnic population living there.
2 What we have in mind here is a joke from the 1960s, which has Mr Kohn emigrate to
Israel only to return soon after to Hungary. When he applies for an emigrant passport
a second time, the Hungarian policeman asks him why he does not make up his mind
where he likes it best: in Israel or in Hungary. Mr Kohn’s answer is: ‘On the plane’.
3 This section is based on Sik (2000). The interview excerpts are from in-depth case