Hungarian-Ukrainian relations have gained new momentum thanks to discussions on the educational rights of national minorities. The Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Anita Orbán, expressed her satisfaction with Ukraine’s intention to introduce a bill, which has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada for consideration. This step was the result of several weeks of consultations between experts from both countries.
The Ukrainian side, represented by Deputy Prime Minister Vsevolod Chentsov, confirmed the parliament’s readiness to consider amendments to the legislation concerning the educational rights of all national minorities, including the Hungarian minority. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sibiga, emphasised the importance of this issue in the context of the country’s European integration. He noted that changes to education legislation could unblock negotiations on new clusters within the EU, which is particularly important for Ukraine on its path to membership of the European Union.
Serhiy Babak, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science and Innovation, gave assurances that the Ukrainian language would remain the primary language of instruction. However, the new draft law regulates more clearly the use of national minority languages recognised as official languages of the EU. This decision should satisfy both Ukraine’s domestic and external interests, including the lifting of the Hungarian veto on the opening of new negotiation clusters within the EU.
The situation reached a critical point in September, when Hungary blocked discussions on opening new negotiation clusters for Ukraine within the EU on three occasions. Budapest insists on protecting the rights of the Hungarian minority, particularly in Zakarpattia, which has become an obstacle to Ukraine’s further progress towards the EU.
All eyes are now on the Ukrainian parliament and how soon the new bill will be considered. This step promises to be an important milestone in the development of Ukraine’s relations with Hungary and its integration into the European Union.