Hungarian alliances in Ukraine express satisfaction with draft law on education

The Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Sub-Carpathia and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Ukraine have welcomed the draft law on the educational rights of national minorities and called on the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) to adopt it as soon as possible.

Source: European Pravda, citing a joint statement by the organisations on Facebook

Details: Both organisations noted that they welcome the draft law introduced on 1 October for consideration by Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, which was developed following bilateral consultations between the governments of Hungary and Ukraine, as well as with the involvement of related European institutions.

They emphasised that the presented draft law resolves the issue in the field of education. The joint statement reads that the draft law comprehensively and fundamentally regulates the issue of implementing the educational rights of national minorities, ensuring the preservation of the nation's network of educational institutions and the free use of the native language in the educational process.

Read more in the article by European Pravda: Hungary lifts its veto: what the deal means for Ukraine's EU accession

The statement stresses that the proposed legislative solutions meet the interests not only of the Hungarian national minority in Zakarpattia, but also of all national minorities and indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

Both organisations advocated for the prompt and full adoption of the draft law by the Verkhovna Rada.

The statement says that this step is necessary to guarantee the rights of national minorities, establish good-neighborly relations between Hungary and Ukraine and support the process of Ukraine's European integration.

The statement was signed by the heads of both organisations. At the same time, it is worth noting that Vasyl (László) Brenzovych, head of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Sub-Carpathia, is considered close to former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whereas László Zubánics, leader of the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Ukraine, holds a skeptical view toward the former Hungarian government.

Background:

• On 1 October, a bill on education in the languages of national minorities was registered in the Verkhovna Rada. Its adoption is expected to help lift Hungary's veto and clear the way for two of the negotiating clusters.
• Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán welcomed the submission of the draft law on the educational rights of national minorities to the Verkhovna Rada, stating that she expects it to be passed this month.

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