Guarding cultural values among minority communities is twice as important, ?thus we are unambiguously striving to serve these communities to a high degree,? Urkuti said.
He was quick to point out that preserving and fostering cultural diversity was not just a Hungarian initiative but a fundamental goal of the European Union. One of the advantages of European integration and a reason for Hungary?s EU accession is ?that we can together more efficiently resist the homogenising effects of globalization,? he added.
Within the framework of the EU presidency, Hungary seeks to support the creation of more civil initiatives that preserve cultural diversity in the EU, Urkuti said. The goal is a shared one in the Spanish-Belgian-Hungarian trio presidency, but Hungary is the author of the concept among the three, he added.
?We want to ensure European support and funding for such civil programmes and visions that assist the everyday experience of linguistic and cultural diversity and the harmonic co-existence of the communities to whom they belong,? Urkuti said. Initiatives could include radio broadcasts in the language of minorities, student exchanges and mini courses for border guards in the language of their neighbours, he added.
The theme of cultural diversity may not be limited only to the question of minorities as it is a matter shared by every European nation and every European citizen, Ukruti said.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
