Justice minister calls for strong Europe based on strong nations

Varga told a panel discussion on minority protection that the European Union was experiencing a clash of two conflicting visions on its future.

One, she said, wanted strong cooperation among strong member states, while the other was a federalist vision looking to transcend nation-states and weaken natural communities and the concepts of the family, the nation and identity.

As regards the protection of minorities, the minister said that while the EU was prepared to protect sexual minorities “even if it means circumventing the law”, the protection of national minorities was seen as less important.

“The government is continuing its fight in Brussels on this issue, constantly pointing out the use of double standards,” she said.

Asked about Hungary’s six-month presidency of the Council of Europe, Varga noted that Hungary will organise conferences on the issue of minority protection in both Budapest and Strasbourg to increase “international sensitivity” to the issue.