Ukraine is ready to fulfill 11 demands of Hungary regarding the protection of the rights of national minorities.
This was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna during her speech at the first Intergovernmental Conference on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
Yesterday, on June 25, the negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU officially started.
Stefanishyna recalled that Ukraine "repeatedly and persistently" confirmed its determination to maintain good relations with its neighbors, in particular in matters related to the protection of the rights of national minorities.
Ukraine is currently dedicated to addressing and fully implementing 11 specific issues raised, particularly by the Hungarian side, aimed at enhancing the safeguarding of national minorities.
"As of now, we are sincerely committed to solving and, on this basis, fully implementing 11 issues raised, in particular, by the Hungarian side, aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of national minorities, and continuing bilateral consultations with Hungary in this direction," Stefanishyna added.
Hungary is requesting the restoration of all rights previously held by the national minority before 2015. Budapest has outlined these Hungarian concerns in 11 points, specifically advocating for the reinstatement of the national school's status, the opportunity to re-take exams for Hungarian language proficiency certificates, and unhindered usage of Hungarian in higher education, culture, and public life.
"We expect the same contribution for further mutual understanding, trust, and respect from our neighboring partners," Olha Stefanishyna concluded.
