Hungary promises to further hinder Ukraine’s European integration
Hungary sees Ukraine’s intention to expel the Hungarian Consul in Berehove in the Zakarpattia region as an unfriendly and risky step, according to the statement was published by the press-service of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó believes that the video where Hungarian passports were given to Ukrainians was recorded by a hidden camera in the Consulate General in Hungary in Berehove and was used in the Ukrainian election campaign to play on anti-Hungarian sentiments in the society.
He also stated that everything that happened on the video was legal and in accordance with international norms. "The Government will not allow the Ukrainian administration to exacerbate the situation of the Transcarpathian Hungarians further and condemns the attempts to intimidate them to the maximum extent possible,” Szijjártó said.
Hungary also admits that it will take measures to hinder Ukraine’s European integration due to the above-mentioned conflict. On September 19, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin stated that he intends to discuss with Peter Szijjártó the issuance of passports to Ukrainians by the Hungarian Consulate. Those Ukrainians also publicly swore allegiance to Hungary.
On September 12, the European Parliament launched the procedure to punish Hungary under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union that imposes sanctions, including the loss of voting rights in the EU council for violation of fundamental democratic values.