Szabolcs Takács, Political Director of the Foreign Ministry, expressed serious concerns to the Ukrainian Ambassador in Hungary over the recent decision of the Ukrainian parliament to repeal the law on regional languages on Monday.

Szabolcs Takács held talks with Ambassador Yuriy Mushka to discuss developments in Ukraine and inform the ambassador about the Budapest meeting of foreign ministers of the Visegrad Four countries, and Bulgaria, Romania and Greece.

The Ukrainian parliament's Sunday decision of repealing the language law which ensured regional status for several languages including Hungarian, "could question the commitment of the new Ukrainian administration towards democracy," the Hungarian MFA Political Director said. Hungary had already indicated its concerns to its European partners, he added.

Yuris Mushka indicated that he expected an improved law to be approved in Ukraine. Szabolcs Takács expressed his hope that the situation would remain peaceful in the long term in Ukraine and a political and economic stabilisation would start soon.

The Hungarian MFA Political Director said Hungary is ready to fully support democratic developments resting on sovereign and legitimate decisions of the Ukrainian people, adding however that in that regard Ukrainian political forces should take into account matters of particular importance for Hungary.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)