In Budapest, Olha Stefanishyna and Levente Magyar agree on next steps in Ukraine-Hungary dialogue on national minority rights

On 29 April, extended consultations between delegations from Ukraine and Hungary took place in Budapest to discuss the protection of national minority rights and the development of bilateral dialogue. The Ukrainian delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna, while the Hungarian delegation was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and State Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Levente Magyar.

During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister underscored the Ukrainian Government’s priority of finding a joint solution to ensure the rights of national minorities (communities) and the importance of direct dialogue with Hungary to foster good-neighbourly relations.

“Ukraine’s path to the European Union is a guarantee of our country’s transformation, and we are making every effort to adhere to both the letter and spirit of the obligations tied to membership. Protecting human rights, ensuring the rights of national minorities, and maintaining good-neighbourly relations with our partners and neighbours are not mere words for us — they are our strategic goal and political objective, which is why we are here today,” Olha Stefanishyna emphasised.

She expressed particular gratitude to Hungary for its support, noting that in the first hours following russia’s full-scale invasion, Hungary provided temporary protection to Ukrainians fleeing the horrors of war and finding refuge in the country.

The consultations focused primarily on the implementation of 11 points outlined by the Hungarian government concerning the rights of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the Government’s draft Action Plan on protecting the rights of national minorities (communities) in Ukraine incorporated all of Hungary’s proposals. She also highlighted that Ukraine has unilaterally submitted proposals to address the full range of issues covered by the 11 points.

The Deputy Prime Minister separately pointed out that Ukraine had established the necessary institutional framework for dialogue with national minorities on all matters of their interest.

During the consultations, the Ukrainian side presented several steps already taken by the Ukrainian Government and Parliament to address relevant issues. These include the adoption in the first reading of the draft Law of Ukraine “On Vocational Education” by the Parliament and the development of the draft Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Laws Regarding the Use of Language in the Educational Process,” which is currently under consideration in the Verkhovna Rada.

“We are committed to continuing bilateral dialogue with Hungary on issues related to ensuring the rights of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine, as well as the Ukrainian national minority in Hungary. We consider this a strategic dialogue, and it should be formalised in a concrete plan,” the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.

The Hungarian delegation acknowledged progress in addressing several issues of mutual interest to Ukraine and Hungary.

Speaking at a press conference following the meeting, Levente Magyar expressed gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister and the entire Ukrainian delegation for their long journey to meet in Budapest. He noted that they had agreed to continue their dialogue intensively and mentioned that experts from Ukraine and Hungary would meet again on 12 May to further discuss the issues addressed during the meeting.

The participants agreed that the meeting should provide new momentum to bilateral dialogue. It was confirmed that the next round of expert-level consultations on the 11 recommendations proposed by Hungary will take place in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, on 12 May 2025.

Both sides also agreed on the need for regular dialogue between Ukraine and Hungary.

The Ukrainian delegation included First Deputy Minister of Education and Science Yevhen Kudriavets, Director General of the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Oleksandr Ilkov, Deputy Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience Ihor Lossovskyi, and others.