Deputy Director of the Second Territorial Department at Ukraine's Foreign Ministry Anatoliy Solovey says the ministry hopes for the start of a constructive dialogue and rapprochement in relations with Hungary.
"A very important event will be held at 10:00 New York time (17:00 Kyiv time) today – a meeting of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko and his Hungarian counterpart Mr. Péter Szijjártó," he said during the international discussion titled "Ukraine-Hungary: A path to mutual understanding" held on September 25.
"I really hope that the meeting will be a touchstone and a new start that could mark the beginning of a new period in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations, a period of seeking for a constructive, kind of mutually acceptable solution ... a period of constructive dialogue and rapprochement," he added.
The diplomat noted the conclusion of the Venice Commission stating that developing and protecting the national language is an absolute right of every state, and that this is exactly what Ukraine is doing.
"As for an extended transition period in the application of Article 7 of the law on education until 2023, and other issues, we offer the Hungarian side concrete initiatives for the joint development of Ukraine's Zakarpattia region, for the development and implementation of infrastructure projects, etc. Unfortunately, we have not yet seen any tangible movement towards us," he added.
Solovey expressed hope that the meeting of the two foreign ministers "will become a watershed that will leave all negative things in the past and mark improvement in relations."
