Minority Rights Checked: Ukraine Prepares for EU Accession
Єврокомісарка з питань розширення ЄС Марта Кос. Фото - Укрінформ
Ukraine has made significant strides in meeting EU standards on the rights of national minorities, clearing a key hurdle in its accession process. Observers say this progress demonstrates Kyiv’s commitment to European values and strengthens its case for closer integration with the European Union.
This was stated by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Cos during a press briefing in Uzhgorod, Ukrinform reports.
“I wanted to speak with representatives of national minorities in Transcarpathia. I visited two schools—one with Hungarian and one with Slovak as the languages of instruction. I must say that you take your approach to minority education very seriously. Ukraine has done its homework, and I sincerely hope that in the near future we will be able to open negotiations on the first cluster and receive the green light from the European Council,” she said.
According to her, issues concerning national minorities are included in both the first and final clusters of the EU membership negotiations.
“Ukraine needs to implement an appropriate action plan regarding national minorities, and we are ready to assist. This is a crucial step on the path to EU accession. Negotiations on joining the EU present the best opportunity to resolve all issues concerning national minorities,” Kos added.
During their visit, Marta Kos and EU Ambassador Katarina Maternova toured the Dojko Gabor Lyceum, where Hungarian is the language of instruction, and Uzhhorod Lyceum No. 4, where Slovak is used. They observed the educational process and how different cultures coexist harmoniously within the schools.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump spoke with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about his blocking of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU. During the conversation, Trump called on Orbán to lift his veto on the start of negotiations.
As a reminder, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, stated that Ukraine and Moldova have fulfilled all the requirements necessary to start negotiations on accession to the European Union.
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