NATO sides with Hungary in the dispute with Ukraine over the language law
NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller stated during a visit to Hungary that NATO has acted in line with Hungary’s interests when it comes to Ukraine’s Law on Education and insists that Ukraine should implement the conclusions of the Venice Commission regarding the language provisions on the law on education, the Alliance's press service reports.
“Allies have acted in solidarity with Hungary when it comes to Ukraine’s Law on Education. In the Brussels Declaration and in the assessment of Ukraine’s Annual Program, all allies urge Ukraine to fully implement the recommendations of the Venice Commission,” she said.
Hungary has been blocking Ukraine-NATO Commission meetings because of its stated grievance that the rights of Hungarians living in Ukraine are allegedly violated because of the provision of the Ukrainian law on education specifying that the language of the educational process in educational institutions shall be the national language.
Gottemoeller stated that the meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Commission are “a central part of our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a powerful way to ensure its government stays on track with reform.”
She thanked Hungary for its support of Ukraine in the conflict with Russia, including helping to ensure reverse gas flow to Ukraine, humanitarian assistance and medical treatments to wounded soldiers.