national cohesion / national unity
The national cohesion / national unity is the basic political principle which despite political and social differences sees Hungarians living in dispersion as members of the same national cultural and linguistic community. After the regime change the definition of the Preferential Treatment Law (Status Law) – “the belonging of Hungarians living in neighbouring states to the unified Hungarian nation” – was the first piece of legislation that makes this approach explicit. According to Act XLV of 2010 on the Testimony to National Unity, “all members and communities of Hungarians subject to the jurisdiction of several states are part of the united Hungarian nation, whose unity across state borders is a reality and at the same time a defining element of the personal and communal identity of Hungarians”. This idea is also included in the Fundamental Law (2011): “Bearing in mind that there is one single Hungarian nation that belongs together, Hungary shall bear responsibility for the fate of Hungarians living beyond its borders, shall facilitate the survival and development of their communities, shall support their efforts to preserve their Hungarian identity, the effective use of their individual and collective rights, the establishment of their community self-governments, and their prosperity in their native lands, and shall promote their cooperation with each other and with Hungary.”