I believe that the very concept of this year's summit - the family as the key to security - is very effective and carefully chosen.

Unfortunately, in Europe, which is facing a very serious demographic crisis, this topic is not given enough attention.

The importance of gatherings like this one in Budapest is thus all that greater, as well as our obligation to try to draw public attention to the challenges in the field of demography that are common to almost all European countries.

If demography is the key to our survival - and I believe we agree that this is an elementary biological fact - then the family is certainly a prerequisite for a stable demographic development.

A strong family, based on marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and not any variation on the theme, is the foundation of a successful society.

If a country records negative natural growth and extremely unfavorable demographic trends for a long period of time, this may lead to numerous disturbances in its functioning in the future.

And of course, facing such challenges requires a comprehensive overview of their causes, and not only by competent institutions, but also by the professional community, the media, the academic community, the civil sector, that is, by society as a whole.

Discussions about demography and pro-natal policies are often reduced exclusively to financial or material aspects.

And of course, governments define certain measures, allocate money, create tax incentives, provide various benefits, give favorable loans to young married couples, help them solve the housing issues, and so on.

This material or financial segment is very important and indispensable for any country that approaches this issue seriously.

Just as a certain existential and financial security is important for starting and expanding a family.

However, if financial security and a good standard of living were the only prerequisites for demographic development, then we probably wouldn't even be talking about this topic in Europe, at least not in this way.

How to explain that most countries with a high standard of living, including almost all European ones, record negative rates of natural growth, while in less developed countries in the rest of the world the birth rates are so much higher?

This clearly indicates that the causes of the demographic crisis are much deeper and more complex than it may seem at first glance.

One of the main causes is the crisis of the family, which is again conditioned by modern cultural and value patterns.

We have witnessed that in recent decades, all traditional institutions, from the family, through religious communities, to the sovereign state, are under strong attacks.

Value systems that are not compatible with our traditional values are constantly being imposed on our countries and peoples through contemporary culture, mainstream media and various international, governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Any authenticity is perceived as hostile, and all those who do not fit into these globalist and liberal narratives are exposed to criticism, pressure, and various restrictive measures.

There is a tendency for a cultural and political unification of states and peoples, within which we should take over the identity of others and renounce our own.

In such a world, there is no place for the promotion of family values. But on the other side, there is so much room for aggressive propaganda and promotion of the rights of those who do not belong to the traditional family concept where the family is based on the union of a man and a woman and their male and female children.

If one asks a logical question - where does all this lead, you will immediately be labeled as a homophobe, an extremist and someone who does not respect human and minority rights; and all this without deep reflection, without any discussion or dialogue.

You will be treated in the same way if you openly say that it is nonsense and obvious absurdity to define father and mother as parent one and parent two or to define gender as something which is merely a matter of choice.

The molds of the so-called “political correctness” limit our right to ask questions and delegate topics of fundamental importance for our future and our societies.

However, this does not lessen our responsibility to oppose such intentions even more decisively.  

And if we speak about freedom of choice then we, too, should be very vocal in promoting the traditional family pattern. 

An equally important task is to understand the essence of radical individualism and self-sufficiency, which have become a trend throughout Europe, including our countries.

I believe that there lies at least a part of the answer to the question why many young people do not consider starting a family at all; which is why, year after year, there are fewer and fewer marriages, and more and more divorces.

It takes a lot of effort, will and dedication to answer these questions, and even more to offer adequate solutions. The fight for demographic renewal does not imply a battle on one front, but on multiple fronts.

Of course, it is important to offer the young people who want to start families an overall stimulating environment in society:  stable economic conditions, well-paid jobs, well-organized health and educational systems and a peaceful and safe environment.

It is obviously also necessary that institutions create and implement effective pro-natal policies, in order to help young people to have their offspring.

But it is also necessary to revitalize the role of the family and promote its most beautiful values in public, culture and education.

It is important to show that starting a marriage and creating a family is not a burden, nor a rejection of personal comfort, but the progress of growth of each individual through the community.

I have met many wonderful, harmonious and successful multi-child families throughout the Republic of Srpska. I remember the words of a mother of eight children who jokingly, yet honestly, told me that it was much easier for her now with eight than it used to be with two children. The reason was that the older children had grown up in the meantime, so they took care of the youngest.

Meetings like this motivated me, while serving as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska, to propose introducing a monthly salary for all unemployed new mothers where they exercise this right for 12 months, or 18 months for twins and every third and subsequent child. Families with one unemployed parent with four or more children in Republika Srpska are  entitled to a monthly allowance as long as one of the children is a minor. As well, there are other measures to assist the family such as one-time assistance for the equipment of the newborn, free of charge procedures of in vitro fertilization, free textbooks for our primary school pupils, but also a subsidized interest rate on mortgages for young couples. 

We are also very grateful to the Hungarian government for sharing their experiences with us at the time when we were improving our programme of pro-natal measures.   

Hungary is a great example of a country that deals with the demographic issue in a serious and comprehensive way. It is exactly what this excellently organized, now already traditional, demographic summit testifies to.

It is very important that we talk about this topic, that we connect with each other and that we learn from each other.

We should be all aware that by neglecting the family we will neglect our demography and subsequently our future.

And we must never allow something like that to happen. This summit serves as a reminder of our duties to preserve the family and traditional values if we want to have  a successful future for our countries. 

Thank you for your attention!