In an interview with NOS, Hungarian Prime Minister Balázs Orbán's political director said that until Hungary's language of education requirements are met, Budapest will block the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine.
"Hungary has always been a supporter of Ukraine's rapprochement with the European Union," he said, adding, however, that the stricter language law has changed everything.
"We will block until the problem is solved," Orbán said when asked if Hungary would block the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
"New laws have made life unbearable for Hungarians in Ukraine," Orbán said.
He was referring to a law recently introduced in Ukraine that obliges minorities, not just Hungarians, to receive at least 70% of their education in Ukrainian. Thus, children growing up in Hungarian-speaking families in Ukraine will fall far behind in their studies, they are concerned in Hungary.
"We cannot accept this," said Balázs Orbán.
"Hungary's position is absolutely clear: as long as this law exists, there can be no discussions with Ukrainians about their integration into the European Union," he emphasized.
