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Cultural and linguistic diversity and respect for minority rights are fundamental EU values, emphasized Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, in Strasbourg during a parliamentary debate on the European Citizens’ Initiative for Equality in Regions and the Sustainability of Cultures.
Hadja Lahbib said that the European Commission is currently examining whether further measures are needed to address the concerns raised in the initiative. She stressed that the aim of cohesion policy is to develop regions, create jobs, and improve quality of life “so that people can stay where they feel at home.”
The Commissioner pointed out that the EU spends more than 22 billion euros on the integration of marginalized groups, an additional 2 billion euros on supporting linguistic and cultural communities, and 5.2 billion euros on cultural and heritage preservation. The support is conditional on the existence of mechanisms to prevent discrimination.
Hadja Lahbib at the EP plenary session. Photo: European Parliament/ Laurie DIEFFEMBACQ
Fidesz MEP Kinga Gál emphasized in her speech: “This initiative is close to my heart, and I have been following its difficult path for twelve years.” She also gave a personal example: “My father’s homeland is a region of Romania inhabited by Hungarians that deserves special attention.”
Gál pointed out: “Regions that are distinguished by specific national, cultural, linguistic, or religious characteristics face similar problems. Young people are forced to emigrate because they do not have equal opportunities and lack prospects for the future.”
In her view, the European Commission has the opportunity to support the approximately 50 million EU citizens belonging to traditional national and linguistic minorities through cohesion policy and legislative instruments, “but the political will is always lacking.”
It is unacceptable that the @EU_Commission is doing everything it can to block the European Citizens’ Initiative on national regions.
We are talking about concrete situations and lives affecting almost 50 million citizens belonging to traditional national and linguistic… pic.twitter.com/LYmEj9Wt2v
— Kinga Gál (@kingagalMEP) July 10, 2025
She emphasized: “This is not about abstract rule-making, but about concrete situations and lives.” According to Gál, “concrete action is needed,” such as preserving cultural values and traditions, or investments that help prevent natural disasters such as the floods in Szeklerland.
“Now is the time to finally act on the joint request of more than 1 million citizens!” she called on the Commission.
Gabriella Gerzsenyi, MEP for the opposition Tisza Party, spoke about her own experiences as a Hungarian living in Transcarpathia (Ukraine) and emphasized that the aim of cohesion policy is to reduce regional disparities. “I believe that cohesion policy can strengthen the diversity of national regions and allow their cultural and linguistic characteristics to flourish,” she said.
Via MTI; Featured photo: European Parliament/ Laurie DIEFFEMBACQ