The EU shall stand firmly by the Transcarpathian community

The European Parliament held a plenary debate last evening on the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. Although some progress has been made in implementing the reforms set out in the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), Ukraine still fails to hold up to the European values ​​and democratic principles in many areas. In addition to the constant restrictions of minority rights, it uses open political pressure and abuses the potentials of the DCFTA and the good faith of the European Union. It is therefore extremely important for the EU to finally send a strong message to Ukraine; to ‘get back on track’.

Fidesz MEP Andrea Bocskor welcomed the report on the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. “Ukraine is an important geostrategic and political partner of the EU and is committed to implementing reforms that meet the Copenhagen criteria, the principles of democracy and that express Kiev’s respect for fundamental and minority rights. However, the developments over the past year have shown that, in addition to the coronavirus epidemic and the struggling economy, there are further serious problems in Ukraine, to which the EU must respond. These include the spread of extremist views and methods, the restrictions of the freedom of the media and opinions, the unprecedented political pressure and intimidation of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia,  the Ukrainian Security Service’s excessive actions  against Hungarian organizations and leaders, and the death list of the extremist Mirotvorec website”, stressed the EPP Group MEP.

“The Hungarian community in Transcarpathia has been subject to linguistic, educational and representational rights’ restrictions for years and have been treated as an enemy of the state, despite the broad rights the Constitution and the current Law on National Minorities guarantees to national minorities. The Hungarian community in Ukraine wants nothing more than to preserve their existing rights, to participate as a partner in the drafting of legislation affecting minorities, and to live peacefully in their homeland. It has been receiving a lot of help from the Hungarian government for years to do so, which proves that the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia plays a vital role in forming a bridge not only in the relations between Hungary and Ukraine, but also in the direction of the EU”.

“It is gratifying that a number of amendments important to the Hungarian minority have been included in the final text, and these proposals will also have to be discussed within the framework of the EU-Ukraine Association Council,” concluded MEP Bocskor.

In her speech, MEP Enikő Győri, standing rapporteur for trade relations with Ukraine in the European Parliament, pointed out: “Unfortunately, our Eastern Partner has for some time been trying to circumvent the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement implemented since 2016 with various legal and illegal tricks, what is more, the country is introducing safeguard measures at will. Ukraine calls this policy “smart protectionism,” while in my opinion this is a clear breach of the agreement. It should be noted, though, that Kiev has repeatedly succumbed to reasoning, thanks to the Commission’s strong representation of the Union’s interests in trade matters. The Union should also take such a firm stand in political matters, and mustn’t tolerate any abuse against national minorities, such as the Hungarians living there”.

MEP Kinga Gál, Chairman of the Fidesz-KDNP delegation to the EP said in connection with the debate: “It is unacceptable that our fellow MEP, Andrea Bocskor, was placed on a death list due to her consistent advocacy of the rights of Hungarians in Transcarpathia. We expect the Ukrainian authorities to condemn and ban similar lists, as stated in this report. That is why it is important that the President of the European Parliament, in his reply to our letter, called the situation in Ukraine worrying and indicated that he will raise the issue at a meeting with the Ukrainian Prime Minister”.