European identity can only rely upon the identities of the Member States

Press Release by László Trócsányi

The European Parliament held a debate on the Conference on the Future of Europe on the today’s plenary session. Fidesz MEP László Trócsányi drew attention to the spirit of the Founding Fathers and Christian democracy that should play an important role in the course of the debates about the future of Europe. MEP Trócsányi emphasized that the European Union is a community of interests and values that is based on a bottom-up approach. He also pointed out that the only way to strengthen and invigorate the European identity is to respect the identities of the Member States.

MEP László Trócsányi welcomed the Conference on the Future of Europe and highlighted that it was the right timing to open it. He emphasized that the conference provides a chance for the European Union to take steps to restore the public confidence. However, in order to be able to maintain a balanced and diverse debate throughout the conference, there is a need to avoid the domination of ideologues, the MEP warned. Therefore, the law professor emphasized the importance to follow the spirit of the Founding Fathers along with Christian democracy throughout the debates. Concerning the new dilemma of the European way of life, MEP Trócsányi expressed that “the only way to strengthen and invigorate the European identity is to respect the identities of the Member States”.

MEP Trócsány underlined that the conference only can be successful if it accepts that the European Union is a community of interests and values whose pillars follow a bottom-up approach and its motto says “united in diversity”.

The national constitutions bring the European integration to life, hence the existence of the European Union is declared in the national constitutions. This is also the reason why the federal idea of the United State of Europe is unacceptable.  Therefore, the MEP recalled that the key to the success of the European Union is whether the Europeans can reflect themselves in the mirror of the European Union. This can only be achieved through a more democratic Europe and this Conference provides an opportunity to self-examination and reflection. “We need to find answer to the question of why the public confidence in the European Union is shaken”, concluded MEP László Trócsányi.