Hungarian Ambassador assures that Hungarian autonomy in Transcarpathia will not harm Ukraine
Hungarian Ambassador to Ukraine Ernő Keskeny said in an interview with Ukrainski Novyny that he is sure there is nothing harmful in the autonomy of national minorities.
As an example, the Ambassador cited the situation in South Tyrol, in Italy, where the German national minority lives compactly. In the region’s schools, classes are taught in German and Italian is taught as a foreign language. In the case of Ukraine, considering the situation in the east of the country, the demands for autonomy are out of the question.
"Our politicians say that there is nothing bad in autonomy, that it is an acceptable model in the European Union, but the Hungarians of Transcarpathia who are citizens of Ukraine also take into account the situation that has developed in the east, so now no one demands autonomy," Keskeny stressed.
At the same time, the ambassador recalled the results of the referendum, which took place in December 1991. Then, for residents of Transcarpathia and the Berehove district, in addition to the question of Ukraine's independence, the issue of creating autonomy was also raised. 78% of Transcarpathian residents and 82% of Berehove district residents supported the autonomy of the regions. "And still have not received anything," the ambassador said.
Keskeny believes that autonomy in the case of Transcarpathia will bring only benefit. The population will have the opportunity to independently solve issues affecting their interests. This is by no means a desire for separatism, Keskeny said.
The relations between Ukraine and Hungary have become more strained after Ukraine adopted the Law on Education, which gives higher importance to Ukrainian language. Earlier, the Foreign Ministry of Hungary said that they would block the integration processes of Ukraine and the EU.
On September 5, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on education which begins a reform of education in Ukraine. Amongst other things, the law specifies that the language of the educational process in educational institutions shall be the national language.