Ukrainian World Congress calls upon Hungary to fully support Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) expresses concern over recent remarks by Hungarian government officials claiming that “Ukraine is unable to make progress in the process of accession to the European Union and NATO through its own fault”, specifically associating this with Ukraine’s Law on Education.

These remarks are contradicted by:

1. The Joint statement issued following the 20th Summit between leaders of the European Union (EU) and Ukraine on 9 July 2018 in Brussels:

We recognised the substantial progress made by Ukraine in its reform process, which is essential both to meet the demands of Ukraine’s citizens and to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience to the external challenges it faces.

2. The Brussels Summit Declaration issued by the Heads of State and Government of the 29 member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on 11-12 July 2018 in Brussels:

We welcome significant reform progress already made, in particular with the recent adoption of the Law on the High anti-Corruption Court and the Law on National Security.

As for Ukraine’s Law on Education adopted on 5 September 2017, in response to concerns expressed over certain sections regarding the use of the state language and minority and other languages, Ukraine submitted this legislation to the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) for review. Once the Venice Commission issued its report, Ukrainian authorities indicated their willingness to comply therewith and acted accordingly.

“The Ukrainian World Congress calls upon Hungary to strengthen its support of the process of Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration for the benefit of Ukraine and all EU and NATO member states, including Hungary, and the Hungarian community in Ukraine,” declared UWC President Eugene Czolij.