Our goal is to create a competitive Europe of strong Member States

On 9 May, Europe Day, a Conference on the Future of Europe will be launched. For this occasion, Fidesz MEP László Trócsányi welcomed the opening of the event in a video message, pointing out that self-reflection is more timely than ever and highlighting that European integration can only be successful if it respects subsidiarity and national identity. 

The Hungarian MEP emphasized that according to the Fundamental Law of Hungary, “In order to enhance the liberty, well-being and security of the people of Europe, Hungary shall contribute to the creation of European unity”.

“As a Member of the European Parliament, I affirm that we all have to strive for the cause of European unity”, the MEP said, adding that when speaking of European unity, “the creation of a United States of Europe should not be an objective”. The Fundamental Law of Hungary regards it as self-evident that there is no European people, only European peoples, MEP Trócsányi noted, saying that the nations of Europe have different histories, cultures and languages and that we should not seek meaningless uniformity. “European societies clearly do not want to live in a top-down European superstate. We need to respect the freedom and culture of other peoples and support a diversity that strengthens the unity of the European continent”, the MEP stressed.

European integration can only be successful if it respects subsidiarity and national identity, and the European Parliament should only deal with issues that fall within its competencies. Europe can only be built from the bottom up, meaning Member States must remain Masters of the Treaties, László Trócsányi underlined.

Speaking on the mission of the Conference, he said the events seek to create a strong, competitive Europe, with strong Member States. The crises of recent decades have shown that the European institutions are unable to overcome challenges and crises without the support of the Member States.

“Let us not pursue utopian dreams at the Conference on the Future of Europe; let us restore European unity and the reasonable institutional conditions for the freedom, prosperity and security of the peoples of Europe”, the Fidesz MEP concluded.

Background: The European Parliament, the Council of Europe and the European Commission have launched a Conference on the Future of Europe, following lengthy, closed-door debates and a delay due to the pandemic. The series of events aims to assess the state of the EU as well as create a more effective, democratic and stronger EU. As part of the series of events, expected to take place until 2022, the EU institutions, Member States, local governments and EU citizens may share their opinions within the framework of dedicated forums or at their own events.