― Whereas the right to self-determination is a universal human right to which each people have a right and the European practice of autonomies creates the institutions within the state for self-determination specifically for national communities living in numerical minority,

― Whereas according to the program of the upcoming Hungarian EU Presidency, the richness of Europe’s cultural heritage contributes to the appeal of regions and sustainable development,

― Whereas each member of the European Union is a member of the Council of Europe, Recommendation 1811/2007 of which makes suggestions specifically in respect of the basic principles of the regionalisation process taking place in the European Union, while Recommendations 1201/1993 and 1334/2003 define autonomy as the guarantee of the rights of national communities living in numerical minorities.

― Whereas in Recommendation 1811/2007, the European Council Parliamentary Assembly noted that “a majority of Council of Europe member states include communities with a strong cultural, political and historical identity, which are not mere regions but peoples and societies with a marked collective personality (described as regions, nations, nationalities, countries, etc.) that did not establish their own state but retain visible differentiating features that inform a political will for self government, and these situations must always be resolved through democratic processes, such as elections, referendums, constitutional and institutional reform, and the establishment of new entities; these processes must be dependent on the participation of citizens, who are ultimately entitled to decide.”

― Whereas on 21 November 1991, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on European citizenship, Article 3 of which proclaims that the Union and Member States encourage the expression of the identity of ethnic and linguistic communities historically present in their territory and promotion of their symbiosis, undertaking to ensure actual equality of citizens, to guarantee special forms of local, regional or group self-government, and to promote cooperation among regions and cross-border collaboration.

― Whereas on 26 October 2003 the Szekler National Council proclaimed that Szeklerland must become an autonomous development region.
The Szekler National Council believes that it is vital during the Hungarian EU presidency and thereafter that:

― special attention is paid to the obligations of EU Member States with regard to the protection of indigenous national, ethnic and linguistic communities and cultural diversity,

― the European Union compensate the negative effects of globalisation through an emphasis on the protection of cultural diversity in Europe within the framework of regional democracy and subsidiarity,

― definite steps are taken toward working out European legislation that serves the protection of indigenous national communities,

― the European Union support that Szeklerland, as a historical European region be granted representation in the Committee of Regions,

― the European Union pay special attention to the protection of endangered small peoples and work out legislation for their protection at the European level,

― at shows or events promoting Hungary, Szeklerland should also be given space and opportunity to be presented and promoted.

Szekler National Council

Budapest, 19 November 2010