Dr. Boros Ferenc: Is There a Chance for Hungarian-Slovak Conciliation and Reconciliation? (experiments, experiences)

After the system changes such conditions had been created that the two countries and nations could determine their relationship to each other without external influences, considering their national and foreign affair issue interests, setting their bilateral relationships on new basics, overcome the disturbing and existing factors that had been historically formed, submit their relationships in the European integration process to the interests of a mutual future. The study examines such attempts and efforts, with a special emphasis on clarifying past issues, since it had been proven that historical traumas and stereotypes arose after the system changes period, and strongly influenced common knowledge and the relationships of both nations and countries.

From the study it is evident that considering the Hungarian-Slovak history, on political level but also on society scale the question of conciliation and reconciliation arose again and again. Its importance has become more up-to-date in connection with joining the EU and while preparing for co-operation within Europe. It would be a pity to give up the attempt that is oriented on its promotion on Parliamentary level.
If we consider the above-mentioned four questions „interpreted in a confrontative way” (historical prejudice, border issue, issue of the national minority, issue of the power plant) as a basis that influenced the relationships of both nations and countries during the pas decade, then in the majority of cases we can experience positive changes.
The improvement of relationships and co-operation of both countries mainly in the last election cycles indisputably reduced prejudice. Way of making politics of Hungarians living in Slovakia contributed to this in a great extent, but also their reassuring civic behavior and the strengthening their role and authority in the society.
The artificially created border phobia could not be the real reason for making the tension. Mainly in the last years there were positive steps taken (agreement on the issue of Law on Advantages, the issue of the University in Komarno) for the sake of a reassuring, acceptable solution of the national minority issue. The situation and general feeling, self-confidence has substantially been improved.
However, there are tasks to be done on both sides in the field of ensuring conditions preserving identity in connection with curing the unfavorable tendencies influencing the future of nationality minorities.