According to the SzekelyNational Council (SZNT) of Romania, the European Commission (EC) is becoming increasingly receptive to the issues raised by the European Citizens’ Initiative entitled Cohesion Policy for the Equality of the Regions and Sustainability of Regional Cultures, which was submitted to the European Commission (EC) and successfully concluded in 2018 under SZNT’s leadership. Whereas previous efforts faced significant obstacles, a constructive dialogue has now begun. The EC is expected to publicly present its legal and political conclusions on the matter by September 4. This decision could be of critical importance for the Szekely Region—inhabited predominantly by ethnic Hungarians—as well as for other national regions across Europe.

Positive Shift in Brussels

The SZNT delegation was heard by the European Commission in a closed session on March 25, attended by Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice President of the EC and Commissioner for Cohesion Policy, as well as Peter Berkowitz, Director of the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy. Representing SZNT were President Balázs Izsák, Secretary György László, and Foreign Affairs Commissioner Attila Dabis, who emphasized the importance of the initiative.

According to SZNT, due to shortcomings in the EU’s current development policy, the Szekely Region and other national regions may face discrimination. The Council emphasized that more than one million European citizens supported the initiative, which clearly falls within the EU’s legislative competence. Their statement noted that while the EC had obstructed the signature collection for years, it is now engaging constructively and acknowledges the initiative’s relevance within the framework of cohesion policy.

Legal Background and Next Steps

SZNT recalled that five years ago, it won a lawsuit against the European Commission, and whereby the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that the concept of “national regions” fits within the EU’s cohesion policy framework. This decision was crucial in allowing SZNT to bring the issue back onto the agenda.

• The Initiative aims to ensure that the European Union pays special attention to regions distinguished by national, ethnic, cultural, religious, or linguistic characteristics while formulating its cohesion policy. According to SZNT, these regions deserve just as much support as those disadvantaged by geographical or economic factors.

Political Battles and SZNT’s Strategy

At a subsequent press conference in Cluj-Napoca/Kolozsvár, SZNT President Balázs Izsák stated that should the European Commission rejects the Initiative, SZNT is prepared to file another lawsuit. The significance of the issue is underscored by the fact that the SZNT delegation has already held negotiations in Brussels with several Members of the European Parliament to secure support for the Initiative in the European Parliament.

The coming weeks will be crucial: the European Parliament will also hear the case, and by September 4, the EC must present its position. 

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