Ukraine submits draft law on language of education to Hungary, awaits response

Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, announced on Thursday that Ukraine had submitted a draft law on education to Hungary, which partially takes into account Hungary's demands on language policy, and Ukraine expects to receive a response in short order.

Source: European Pravda, citing Interfax-Ukraine

Details: Kachka said the draft law on language legislation handed over to Budapest addresses five out of the eleven demands previously put forward by the Hungarian side. He did not specify the exact demands that the document addresses.

Quote from Kachka: "In case Hungary agrees to the proposed draft, Ukraine is prepared to submit it to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) for consideration. Feedback is expected in the upcoming days."

Details: He pointed out that in two-thirds of the roughly 100 Hungarian-language schools in Ukraine, classes are primarily taught in Hungarian with a few subjects in Ukrainian. The teaching is mostly in Ukrainian for the remaining classes, while several key disciplines are taught in Hungarian.

Quote from Kachka: "Today, we have fully addressed the Hungarian community's request for education that meets their interests. What the Hungarian government is asking for is related to specific issues."

Background:

• In September, Kachka said after a meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó that Kyiv had prepared responses to all 11 demands raised by Budapest regarding the language of education. You can read more about these demands in the European Pravda article.
• Kyiv and Budapest continue to face tension due to the language issue and the rights of the Hungarian minority.

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