The Hungarian government works every day to make Europe Christian, the Minister of Justice said on Monday, 8 May in Budapest. Judit Varga spoke at the ‘Europe Day — When the Future Began’ conference on the lessons of the history of the European Union, organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies of the University of Public Service (NKE).

In her remarks the minister was referring to the words of Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers of the European Union, who said that Europe will either be Christian or not be at all. In her remarks, Varga expressed her conviction that what has been successfully tested in Hungary can also be successful ‘on an industrial scale’ in Europe.

She highlighted that respecting unity and diversity at the same time is a fundamental principle for her in her daily work in the EU.

The minister emphasised that next spring there will be European parliamentary elections followed by a Hungarian EU presidency, which occurs every 13.5 years, and

the government must take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate Hungarian competence and creativity.

Judit Varga reminded that Hungary joined a union that values the culture of consensus as the most important principle of its contracts. The government believes that member states cannot always compromise their autonomy, and every country has the right to choose its own toolkit in many policy areas. The minister noted that Hungarians are not simply right, but they are always proven right at the end of the day. The 2015 migration crisis is an example of what Hungary formulated as a main principle now becoming a mainstream EU approach. She called the upcoming EU presidency a special period and said that Hungary’s task is to articulate a liveable alternative for Europe. Strategic decisions are already being made in connection with the presidency, she reassured her audience.

The minister also spoke about young people, emphasising the importance of their opinions to the government.

NKE Rector Gergely Deli said that on 9 May, European peace and unity are celebrated, and this day commemorates the Schuman Declaration, which is considered the beginning of the road leading to the EU. What Robert Schuman outlined was a cooperation between European countries that could prevent wars. The rector said the importance of peace can now be felt directly due to the conflict raging in Hungary’s immediate neighbourhood.