“The aim of the meeting is to improve the situation of Hungarians in Transcarpathia and to support their ability to stay in their homeland,” he pointed out.
In recent days, Magyar met with the mayor of Berehovo, Zoltan Babjak, who informed him about the situation of Hungarians living in Transcarpathia and the “horrors of war.” “We agreed that it is in the interest of Hungarians living in Transcarpathia to put Hungarian-Ukrainian relations on new foundations,” he noted.
Peter Magyar wants to talk to Volodymyr Zelensky
The Hungarian politician further pointed out that “it is time for Ukraine to lift the restrictions that have been in force for over ten years” and restore all their rights to Hungarians in Transcarpathia. “So that they can again become equal and respected citizens of Ukraine,” he wrote.
Magyar stressed that in Ukraine “higher education is still monolingual, final examinations are held in Ukrainian, and there have been no significant changes in other areas of the use of the official language.” “In public administration, in courts and in official procedures, only the Ukrainian language can be used. The Hungarian minority cannot demand official services in their native language, even in towns where the majority of inhabitants are Hungarians,” he pointed out, adding that “restrictions also remain in public life and culture.”
“I encourage Ukrainian leaders”
“In connection with I encourage Ukrainian leaders to take bold steps also in these areastowards European values and true freedom and equality,” Magyar appealed, noting that if these issues can be resolved, “a new chapter in bilateral relations between Hungary and Ukraine will certainly be opened.”
“I assured the mayor [Babjaka]that our compatriots in Transcarpathia can count on the full support of their homeland and the TISHA government. I hope that soon I will be able to accept his kind invitation to Berehove. I'm ready,” Magyar concluded.
