Search This Blog

Friday 18 June 2010

The difference between Nationality and Citizenship

The difference between Nationality and Citizenship

by Martin Wingfield

jobbickdemo
3rd JUNE 2010: Andrew Brons addressed a gathering of Hungarian Nationalists outside the European Parliament. They were there to present a petition to the European Parliament objecting to the Treaty of Trianon which was signed ninety years ago on 4th June.
The Treaty transferred large parts of Hungary to neighbouring countries including Slovakia, Romania and Serbia. The protest was also against the treatment of Hungarians in Slovakia and Romania.
This is what Andrew said:
" People in Central and Eastern Europe understand the difference between Nationality and Citizenship - a difference that most people (but not Nationalists) in Western Europe have forgotten.
"The Treaty of Trianon was clearly drafted by people in the West who thought that it was acceptable to change national boundaries and thereby transfer people to another state and they would automatically become Romanians or Slovaks.
"They did not; they were Hungarians before the change and they remained Hungarians. They are Hungarians to this day.
"If I were to move voluntarily to France, it would be reasonable for the French to insist that I spoke French. However, if people are moved from one state to another involuntarily, they are entitled to keep their language and traditions.
"State boundaries should ideally be based on national boundaries and it is to be hoped that they will be. However, in the meanwhile, Hungarians living in neighbouring countries such as Romania and Slovakia must have their ancestral, cultural and linguistic heritage respected.
"Even the liberals from the European Parliament recognise that linguistic minorities have rights. We, as Nationalists, really understand your position. I hope that you will achieve your aims in the end."
more at     http://www.andrewbronsmep.eu/?q=news