It is unfortunate that the President of Ukraine signed the new law on "National Minorities (Communities)" voted by the Ukrainian Parliament, thereby further restricting the rights of the national communities living in its territory, including the Hungarians," János Árpád Potápi, the State Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office responsible for national policy, told our newspaper. in his announcement.

The Secretary of State emphasized: we consider it sad that during a war, while Hungary is carrying out the largest humanitarian aid operation in its history to help Ukrainian refugees, the rights of national minorities are further restricted in Ukraine .

He recalled: In its opinion dated June 17, 2022, on the granting of candidate status to Ukraine, the European Commission formulated its recommendations towards Ukraine in seven points, one of which is that, in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission, Ukraine should adopt immediate and effective implementation mechanisms to ensure minority rights . He added that it is regrettable that the Ukrainian legislature did not take into account the recommendations of the European Commission and did not engage in meaningful dialogue with national minorities.

The state secretary emphasized that the new law contains many retrogressions compared to the 1992 national minority law.

The adoption of the law is one of the conditions for the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

János Árpád Potápi emphasized: Hungary understands and supports Ukraine's European Union integration efforts, but draws attention to the fact that the laws adopted during the integration process must be based on European values ​​and international standards. He added: "We trust that, until the new law on "national minorities (communities)" enters into force, Ukraine will continue to work on the text of the adopted law, based on the recommendations of the national minorities living in its territory and the Venice Commission, and create a law that will undoubtedly demonstrate its commitment to In addition to ensuring the European Union and the rights of national minorities."

As Magyar Nemzet reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi signed the new minority protection law, the adoption of which is one of the conditions for the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

Source: mno.hu / Márk Kreft-Horváth

Photo: State Secretary János Árpád Potápi (mno.hu / István Mirkó)