Ukraine has settled the language issue for national minorities through the adoption of the law on complete general secondary education and hopes that Hungary will unblock high-level Ukraine-NATO dialogue.

Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko made a corresponding statement at the meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó in Kyiv on February 7, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reports.

"Prystaiko noted that Ukraine fulfilled all the recommendations of the Venice Commission regarding the Law of Ukraine “On Education” by adopting the Law of Ukraine “On Complete General Secondary Education” on January 16, 2020 and expected Hungary to unblock the high-level dialogue between Ukraine and NATO," the press service reports.

As noted, the ministers discussed the whole range of issues on the agenda of Ukraine-Hungary relations, including the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Education” and the issues of national minority.

Szijjártó emphasized Hungary's interest in improving bilateral relations with Ukraine and enhancing economic cooperation.

On September 28, 2017, the Law of Ukraine "On Education" entered into force, which determines that the language of instruction in educational establishments is the state language. The educational program may provide for teaching one or several disciplines in two or more languages.

Some countries, in particular Hungary, criticized the law because it allegedly restricts the rights of national minorities.

On January 16, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law of “On Complete General Secondary Education” which regulates, in particular, the provision of secondary education in the languages of national minorities. According to the law, representatives of national minorities in Ukraine, whose languages are not official languages of the European Union, get the basic and specialized secondary education at the state, municipal or corporate educational establishments in the state language during at least 80 percent of the annual academic time.

The representatives of national minorities, whose languages are the official languages of the EU, get basic secondary education in the fifth grade at the state, municipal or corporate educational establishments in the state language during at least 20 percent of the annual academic time.

ol