RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Autonomy, Regionalization, Decentralization

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis calls for cooperation between the ethnic Hungarians and Romanians living in the counties of Covasna and Harghita


Warning: Trying to access array offset on null in /home/web/rri.ro/public/wp-content/themes/rri/template-parts/content.php on line 53
Autonomy, Regionalization, Decentralization
Autonomy, Regionalization, Decentralization


Warning: Trying to access array offset on null in /home/web/rri.ro/public/wp-content/themes/rri/template-parts/content.php on line 98
, 19.07.2017, 13:20


Autonomy, yes! Regionalization, yes! Decentralization, yes!; but never based on ethnic criteria! This is the message of Romanias President Klaus Iohannis to the local authorities in the so-called Szekely Land, in central Romania. The territory is made up of the counties of Covasna and Harghita, where the number of ethnic Hungarians is significantly larger than that of ethnic Romanians, and part of Mures County. In Covasna and Harghita, most localities are administered by members of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania, which has always been present in Parliament and has also been part of several of the ruling coalitions in Romania since the 1989 anti-Communist Revolution.



Romania has always been appreciated for its commitment to observing the rights of all ethnic minorities living on its soil, which account for 11% of its 20 million strong population. Hungarians are the largest ethnic minority in Romania, and although they benefit from many rights, they would still like to become autonomous, with support from Budapest. In their view, the Szekely Land should be a region on its own, with its own flag, president, government and Parliament, all regional.



During his visit on Tuesday to Covasna and Harghita, president Klaus Iohannis said, that, too often realities in the two counties are interpreted so as to divide, highlight differences, not similarities, and promote hostility, intolerance and rejection towards people from different ethnic groups, be they majority or minority. These are sure ways to block not only the development of these communities, but also the country as a whole.



President Klaus Iohannis:


“I believe that decentralization is a must, because local officials know best what their communities need and they must have the necessary tools in place to act for the benefit of those whom they represent. Regionalization can also be taken into consideration, but only if its aim is to render regional government more effective, which means that it serves the citizens and helps create new jobs as a result of economic growth. Local and regional autonomy can help, but autonomy based on ethnic criteria is not something that should happen, because this would hinder development.”



According to the head of state, the counties of Covasna and Harghita benefit from a particularly rich tourist potential, on which local authorities should capitalize more. Klaus Iohannis:


“There are historical monuments in the area that render the region special. Also, there are spas and resorts of national interest and mineral water reserves that are worth exploiting. There are many ethnographic areas that must be preserved, because they have an extraordinary capacity to attract both Romanian and foreign tourists. That is why local authorities should get more involved in using and capitalizing on these resources.”



At a meeting with approximately 300 local officials from Covasna and Harghita, Klaus Iohannis was offered the flag of the so called Szekely Land. In return, president Iohannis, prepared for such a gesture, offered them the flag of Romania.




Photo: Paul Teysen / unsplash.com
Today in the News Thursday, 03 April 2025

New US Customs Duties

The US president Donald Trump has made a decision, experts predicted long ago, namely new tariffs on all imports to US. In a speech delivered at the...

New US Customs Duties
Ilie Bolojan la Conferința „
Today in the News Thursday, 03 April 2025

Romania, towards the OECD

Romania is on track to complete all the technical analyses for joining the OECD in the next twelve months or so. The announcement was made by the...

Romania, towards the OECD
Ursula von der Leyen
Today in the News Wednesday, 02 April 2025

EU reacts to US tariffs

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Brussels has prepared “a strong plan” containing “firm countermeasures” to counter...

EU reacts to US tariffs
Photo: roaep.ro
Today in the News Wednesday, 02 April 2025

Romania is getting ready for elections

Romania had in 2024, like in no other year in three and a half decades since it transitioned to democracy, four rounds of elections – local,...

Romania is getting ready for elections
Today in the News Tuesday, 01 April 2025

Romania marks one year since joining Schengen

Romania marks one year since partial accession to the Schengen area.   Romania marks one year since joining Schengen with air and sea borders, a...

Romania marks one year since joining Schengen
Today in the News Tuesday, 01 April 2025

Sea Shield Exercise

  “Sea Shield 25”, the largest multinational training exercise organised this year by the Romanian Navy, has begun in Constanta. A roughly...

Sea Shield Exercise
Today in the News Monday, 31 March 2025

Romania celebrates 21 years of NATO membership

Romania will continue to contribute to promoting global security and the democratic values, said interim president Ilie Bolojan on the 21st...

Romania celebrates 21 years of NATO membership
Today in the News Monday, 31 March 2025

Security and defense measures in Bucharest

“We are facing a complicated context after the annulled presidential election of last year, we have a strong distrust in both institutions and the...

Security and defense measures in Bucharest

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company