Hungary has sent a letter to other member states of the European Union complaining about Ukraine's treatment of the Hungarian national minority.
As reported by Radio Free Europe, which obtained the letter, Hungary reiterates its demand to restore the rights of the Hungarian community in Ukraine to the level that existed before 2015. This includes the free use of the Hungarian language in Ukraine and the right to political representation at the regional and national levels.
"Contrary to previous promises, the needs of representatives of the Hungarian community in Ukraine have been ignored, for example, in determining the subjects to be taught in Ukrainian in schools for the Hungarian minority," the letter states.
Budapest also complains about changes in the population ratio following the change of administrative boundaries in Ukraine, which it considers unjustified to have a minimum representation of 10% for language rights for national minorities, and demands its delegate in the Verkhovna Rada.
"The mandatory 10% ratio that national minorities must achieve among the local population in order to be eligible for language rights is not justified for national minorities," the document states.
Hungary is also dissatisfied with the fact that the Hungarian community does not have its own delegate in the Verkhovna Rada.
"Hungary requests that the Hungarian community be granted the right to political representation, and in this context, the use of the national language during election campaigns, referendums, and generally in public life, as it was before," the letter states.
Ukraine has not commented on Hungary's statement.
Hungary's demands could pose a significant obstacle to Ukraine's further integration into the EU.
