Debate contributions by Annamária VICSEK

Mr President, Commissioner, 30 years after the Dayton Peace Agreement, the most important lesson is simple: wars are not won by military means alone. They can be ended through negotiations, security guarantees and a realistic peace framework. Hungary consistently supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the fundamental principles of the Dayton Peace Agreement: 'one state, two entities', where stability is based on institutional balance and agreement among the three constituent peoples. It is also clear that lasting stability in the region cannot be guaranteed without respecting the rights and legitimate interests of the Serb entity. In the states that signed the Dayton Agreement, peace has prevailed for 30 years. Dayton did not deliver perfect justice, but it did deliver peace. Europe needs peace like that today as well. Let us learn the lesson from the Dayton‑Paris Agreement.

Mr. President, please. The European Parliament started the last plenary session of the year with a difficult but unavoidable theme: How can Europe protect its public security against organised crime? Experience shows that where state control is weakened, organized drug trafficking is rapidly gaining ground. These networks often use the same routes and structures as criminal groups organising illegal migration. Hungary has recognized this connection in time and is taking complex action against drug crime through strict border protection, zero tolerance towards drug trafficking and the appointment of a special government commissioner responsible for the elimination of drug trafficking. Similarly, Europe must act against drug cartels and illegal migration at the same time. I want a Europe where the state is stronger than criminal organisations and where public security is not an ideological issue, but a shared responsibility.

Thank you very much for the question, I was preparing, as I was expected to receive a blue card. I strongly reject defamatory claims. In recent years, Hungary has developed one of the strictest and most comprehensive child protection and family support systems in Europe. Strict criminal law rules against paedophile offenders, a digital child protection strategy and targeted social measures that have measurably improved the situation of children. I would rather ask, how do the Tisza party and you, the representatives of the Tisza party, view the dangers of what we call fleeing ideology? Please answer that to me.

Dear Madam President, When we talk about the dangers of online space, we often only mention cyberbulling, game addiction and too long screen time. However, it is just as harmful if a child encounters sexual content, radical religious or gender ideologies too early that he or she cannot process due to his or her age. Large digital platforms cannot contain these risks, so it is good to talk about it here. In the Hungarian position, the role of parents is clear. They play a primary and irreplaceable role in decisions about a child's development, both in reality and in the digital space. The design and implementation of child protection legislation is primarily the responsibility of the Member States, in which the European Commission can play a complementary and supportive role. Hungary is committed to the protection of children, together with the Digital Child Protection Strategy adopted in 2016 to fight online aggression. We therefore support all European initiatives to strengthen national systems, recognise the role of parents and better protect our children online.

Madam President, I'm sorry. A year after the tragedy in Novi Sad, Serbia is in mourning. He conducts investigations and brings those responsible to justice. The European Parliament is launching a so-called "Serbia debate" for the first time, while representatives of the Serbian government have never been invited to these meetings. It's not a dialogue, it's a political drama. It must be said that the Serbian state has done what a responsible government must do. A mayor, a minister and the prime minister have resigned. The prosecutor's office has indicted 13 people, including officials involved in the renovation, company directors and the staff of the licensing authority. In Europe, similar public infrastructure accidents take three to seven years to be prosecuted. We do not expect Serbia to reach a final verdict in a single year. Serbia continues to imagine its future in the European Union, but this does not mean that the EU has the right or the obligation to interfere in the internal affairs of the country. Serbia seeks dialogue, institutional dialogue, dignity and respect for sovereignty.

Dear Mr President, On the International Day of the Elderly, we are grateful to those who, through their work, wisdom and love, have laid the foundation for our common future. They have built what we live on today, and it is up to us whether they receive honor and security in return. The Hungarian Constitution clearly states: young people are obliged to take care of their parents, grandparents and those in need. This is not only a legal but also a moral guideline, a principle of solidarity between generations. The Government of Hungary not only proclaims this principle, but also implements it. It reintroduced the 13th month pension, provides inflation-related increases and additional corrections. He launched the Care Hours program, which provides immediate assistance to more than half a million elderly people. It provides tax exemptions for working pensioners and refurbishment support for the elderly in rural homes. In the minority community, like the Hungarian community in Vojvodina, the role of the elderly is even more special. They preserve language, tradition and faith. They share everything that binds us together. If we do not keep their knowledge, our roots will fade away. We not only respect them, we learn from them. The future cannot be built without the past. Respect for the elderly is not only our responsibility, but also an expression of our gratitude. Hungary is committed to ensuring that all generations can live in safety and dignity, because mutual care is the foundation of a strong community.

Dear Mr President, Hungary's position is fundamentally in line with the principles of the European Sport Model. This framework highlights the role of sport not only in terms of competition, but also in terms of community-creation, culture and education. However, I would also like to stress that sport is and should remain an exclusive national competence. The European model of sport can only remain viable if it respects the traditions and decisions of the Member States themselves. It is also important to talk about fair competition. In women's sport, it is essential to respect the biological gender, since the differences between the male and female body fundamentally determine performance. Sport should not be a field for gender-ideological experiments. If we are talking about sport, it is essential to mention a few Hungarian examples to follow. In recent years, developments have taken place in Hungary that reflect exactly this spirit. With the introduction of day-to-day physical education, we have made sport a natural part of everyday life with hundreds of new school gyms and classrooms, many of them with EU support. In youth education, a network of sports academies was established. From the Puskás Academy to the Kayak-Kenu Centre in Szeged, to the Athletics and Kecskemét Basketball Academy in Győr, tens of thousands of young people are given the chance to develop their talents. Through sports development, the Hungarian government is also creating a community beyond the borders. The TSC Football Academy in Topolya and the Wrestling Academy in Kanjiža are not only sports facilities, but also national unification projects. They give young people from Vojvodina a future at home, in their homeland, while becoming a joint success of Hungarian and Serbian sports life, and they also make a significant contribution to strengthening Hungarian-Serbian reconciliation and friendship. Sport is a common language that everyone understands: The joy of movement, the joy of struggle, the joy of victory. Let us preserve this spirit and continue to build on the community-forming power of sport.

Dear Mr President, European university associations should be about scientific cooperation, opportunities for young people and Europe's competitiveness. Instead, this report is an ideological experiment and political blackmail, weakening university autonomy, undermining national competences and turning Hungarian students into political tools. Under the pretext of the rule of law, the Commission excludes young Hungarians from Erasmus, while there is no logical link between alleged deficiencies in the rule of law and pupil punishment, unless the aim is to turn Hungarian students against their own government. However, this game failed. With the Pannónia Scholarship Programme, the Hungarian state offers a wider and more generous opportunity than Erasmus. And thousands of students live with it. Political blackmail has failed. The Hungarian state protects its students, while Brussels' punitive policy seriously destroys Hungarians' trust in the EU.

Dear Madam President, The left-liberal wing of the European Parliament has once again put Serbia on the agenda. Instead of talking about the country joining the EU as soon as possible, we are discussing the protests again. But since that's the case, let's talk about reality. Serbia was shaken by two terrible tragedies in a short time. The 2023 Ribnikar school shooting, which killed 14 innocent people, followed last November by the Novi Sad tragedy, which killed 16 people, including children and young people. Both cases triggered street movements. The social upheaval was understandable and the demands were justified. But what the opposition did was no longer a recipe for democracy, but for civil disobedience and anarchy. Imagine what would happen if ten or fifteen people in one of your universities paralyzed education, or if a dozen people in the European Parliament blocked work with smoke bombs and firecrackers? That would be outrageous and unacceptable. This is exactly how it happened in Serbia. The European Parliament cannot apply double standards. Yes, we must condemn the abuses against the demonstrators, but we must also condemn the violence against the police. I live in Novi Sad. I get information about the events not only from the media, but also from the videos and stories of my fellow citizens and acquaintances. That's how I know that hundreds of police officers were injured, but I also saw footage of them being beaten with metal bangs. We can't accept hooligans trying to start a civil war. Violence must be condemned and political debates brought back from the streets to parliament.

Dear Madam President, An important result of last year's Hungarian EU Presidency is that the regulation on air passenger rights has been on the agenda again, which has not been discussed for five years. We Hungarians consider it important that the nearly twenty-year-old regulation, which is obsolete on many points, is replaced by a modern, clear and implementing legislation. We are convinced that the current level of passenger rights should not be reduced, on the contrary, we need legislation that is easy to understand and provides real protection in today's travel conditions. It is regrettable that the Polish Presidency has not taken the work forward as decisively as Hungary has started. That is why we consider it important for the Commission to carry out a thorough impact assessment that presents detailed data on the consequences of the planned amendments for both passengers and industry. Hungary remains committed to ensuring that the final regulation effectively protects passenger rights both in principle and in practice.

Mr. Congressman, I'm sorry. As usual, he is mocking his country, Hungary, again, and I know that he will now use my Blue Card to denigrate and criticise Hungary for one more minute. DK has already done this, Momentum has already done this, we have seen this on the part of MSZP. But what the Titans do is beyond anything. They are pushing this to the top in order to discredit Hungary, their country. I ask you, aren't you ashamed?

Dear Mr President, If transport is to be made sustainable, the balance between the different modes of transport must be consciously shifted towards environmentally friendly solutions. In Hungary, car use is approaching EU level, while the share of bus and rail is still above the EU average. Hungary is committed to providing accessible and affordable community services, therefore it is also working on improving the connectivity of suburban, agglomeration and rural areas, and it does not even ignore Hungarian communities beyond the border. A symbolic and practical example of this is the development of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, which not only serves sustainable transport, but also connects Hungarian communities in the mainland and in Vojvodina. Hungary is committed to sustainable mobility, reinforced by the county rental system introduced in 2023. Thanks to the rental system, more people choose public transport, while road traffic and environmental pressures are reduced.

Dear Mr President, Montenegro has been a candidate country for EU membership since 2010 and Serbia since 2012. They have been working on accession for over a decade, implementing reforms to align with EU standards. Montenegro has already fulfilled intermediate milestones in the rule of law chapters, and Serbia has fulfilled the conditions for the opening of the third cluster, competitiveness and inclusive growth, many years ago, but there is a lack of political will in Brussels to accommodate them. And what do we see? The European Commission is setting up a task force of 1,000 people to fast-track Ukraine, a candidate country for only three years, and even adapt EU decision-making rules to do so. Ukraine's membership of the EU is a serious security and economic risk. The Hungarian people clearly state their opinion on this. More than two million people have already participated in the VOKS 2025 consultation. We agree to speed up negotiations for Serbia and Montenegro. These two Western Balkan countries should already be in the EU.

Dear Madam President, Our children are increasingly at risk online. This is the opinion of 92% of European citizens, according to Eurobarometer, and parents are rightly concerned. And we Hungarians say it clearly: children should not be victims of online predators or ideological experiments. We therefore support the new EU legislation, which provides for uniform definitions, stricter penalties and accountability for online platforms, but the proposal must also take into account the cultural differences and constitutional priorities of the Member States and must not lose sight of the competences of the Member States. At the same time, we strongly reject the fact that Brussels, under the pretext of progressive liberalism, is sending gender activists to our schools or forcing marches full of explicit and aberrant sexual content on our public spaces. Hungary has had a strict child protection law in place since 2021, providing real protection for minors. We support the protection of children, but we do not support the covert introduction of gender ideology or LGBTQ propaganda.

Dear Madam President, The Russian-Ukrainian war cannot be won. The war has only losers: Widows, orphans, mothers weeping for their children. As a minority in Ukraine, Transcarpathian Hungarians are exponentially endangered in this conflict. If there is a community that really understands what it means to be forced into war as a minority, it is us, the Hungarians of Vojvodina. During the South Slavic wars, Hungarian men were taken to fight with arms on the Serbian or Croatian side, depending on where they lived. That wasn't our war. Like the Hungarians in Transcarpathia, they flew into the war unwittingly. From the beginning, Hungary has been on the side of peace, and today it is no longer alone in this. A difficult but hopeful dialogue began, through which prisoners of war could return home and fallen soldiers could receive a worthy funeral. But people don't want to bury their loved ones, they wait for them to come home alive. The European Union should not instigate the war, but de-escalate it. Ukraine, the region and Europe as a whole need peace.

Madam President, I'm sorry. Research and innovation are key to preserving Europe's competitiveness, and the Commission's objective of halting and even reversing the brain drain is therefore to be welcomed. In the initiative 'Choose Europe, Choose Science', however, we see a serious contradiction. While Brussels attracts researchers from overseas, some EU researchers are excluded from joint programmes. Hungarian researchers have not had access to Horizon Europe funds for three years. Not for scientific or administrative reasons, but for political reasons. The European Commission wants to punish the Hungarian government by excluding the Hungarian research community, even though this will result in exactly what it would in principle want to prevent, the brain drain. Today, Hungarian researchers are at a disadvantage not only vis-à-vis their colleagues in the EU, but also vis-à-vis their colleagues in third countries. This exclusion is not only unfair, but also weakens Europe's competitiveness. The excellent Hungarian researchers deserve to belong to the unified research area.

Mr. President, please. Thank you very much for the word. We are saddened to see that, as in the past, this Serbian country report is unbalanced, politically biased, does not present real progress in a proportionate manner and ignores the geopolitical sensitivity of the region. Commissioner Kos said during her recent visit to Belgrade that she and the European Commission support university students. The Commission's demands should relate to institutional reforms and not to support a group that polarises society, aims to overthrow the government, or anarchistically obstructs the functioning of institutions, violates the right to education of minor children, or forcibly prevents university professors from entering their workplace. The Commission's task should be to stabilise and strengthen institutional functioning, not to interfere in Serbia's internal affairs. Hungarian Patriot MPs continue to stand by Serbia's EU membership as soon as possible, as this is in the interest of the Hungarians in Vojvodina, Hungary and ultimately Europe as a whole. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much for your question, Congresswoman. It was expected that a member of the Tisza Party would ask such a question. However, I would like to ask how it is that the Tisza Party is happy that the European Union is withholding the resources that are rightfully due to Hungary, and they hope that the Tisza Party will therefore perform better in the 2026 election. This is a very, very selfish request and a very selfish consideration. I think it is completely unacceptable that you are happy that it is bad for the Hungarian people to be better for you.

Mr. President, please. The left-wing Grand Coalition of the European Parliament wants an EU budget after 2027 whose resources would further support the implementation of the disastrous Pact on Asylum and Migration, the opaque funding of pseudo-civilian political activist networks, the financing of the war in Ukraine, and ideologically-based financial blackmailing of Member States. Some people are happy that Brussels is withholding EU funds due to Hungarians under the rule of law procedure, because it believes that it will support the Tisza Party in next year's parliamentary election. This is outrageous and unacceptable to us. The Patriots for Europe Group and the Fidesz-KDNP Group in the European Parliament want a budget that effectively supports Member States financially in protecting the EU's external borders and preventing illegal migration flows. We would also preserve regional development policy and the common agricultural policy in its current form, in particular with regard to area-based support for farmers.

Dear Mr President, The development of the trans-European transport network is not just a technical detail. This is an important issue from an economic, military and geopolitical point of view. Five TEN-T corridors and two military mobility corridors cross the territory of Hungary. Therefore, we know exactly the risk of delaying their development. Projects such as the development of the Belgrade-Budapest railway line or the reopening of the Szeged-Szabadka-Baja line can connect not only cities, but also communities. For the Hungarians of Vojvodina, this prosperity in their homeland is also a condition for economic prosperity. While Hungary spends nearly €3 billion a year on transport infrastructure, EU rules mean that many strategic investments do not have access to either grants or loans because they do not meet the economic return criteria. It is also not an exception when it comes to projects of major military importance. This needs to change. The TEN-T objectives can only be achieved by providing a more flexible funding and regulatory framework.

The cornerstone of Hungarian child protection legislation is that gender activists are not allowed to enter schools. What is your personal position? Can Gender Activists Go to Schools?

Dear Madam President, Culture is not only an important element of national identity, it is also important from an economic and competitiveness point of view. Across Europe, 7.8 million people work in this sector, which accounts for 2% of EU GDP. Cultural policy should not be second-rate in the budget and should therefore have a corresponding weight in the next MFF. In addition to the majority of national cultures in the Member States, European culture should also embrace the cultural diversity of Europe's indigenous national, regional and linguistic minorities. In their case, grant projects add value, but are often vital. More effective support for the cultural sector in the case of candidate countries can enhance their integration and, at the same time, the cultural diversity of the EU. The new Cultural Compass should also respond to the challenges of the digital era. The rise of artificial intelligence is a new challenge. Culture will only remain human-centred if we can protect the value of human creation.

Mr. President, please. Creating a European Education Area is an ambitious objective but also an excellent opportunity that will determine Europe's competitiveness, social cohesion and cultural diversity in the long term. The Alliance of European Schools initiative offers real solutions to this by building on the three pillars of innovation, mobility and inclusiveness. We must support such projects, but also ensure that the construction of the European Education Area respects national identities, the educational traditions and sovereignty of the Member States. A united Europe should not be about uniformity, but about the power of diversity and cooperation. Sharing good practices and case studies between Member States can contribute to achieving even better results at EU level. The implementation of the European Education Area is greatly facilitated by the Erasmus+ programme, by enabling the mobility of students and teachers. We are pleased to note that applicant countries outside the EU can also participate in Erasmus+ programmes, but we demand that all students and staff from EU Member States have non-discriminatory access to mobility programmes. The EU cannot afford negative examples such as the exclusion of certain Hungarian and Austrian students from Erasmus+ programmes. This is completely incompatible with the often mentioned European values and the objectives of the European Education Area. Finally, I would like to stress the importance of involving EU candidate countries as closely as possible in the programmes and opportunities offered by the region. It is especially important for the young people who live there, as they are the ones who can hopefully one day become EU citizens. By connecting the candidate countries, we can ensure that their education systems are better aligned with EU expectations at the time of accession.