The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary – re-affirming its previous declarations – expresses its grave concern with respect to the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine. We declare again that Hungary is committed to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of neighbouring Ukraine, and regards the violation of its territorial integrity as a non-observance of international obligations and the UN Charter.

On this score, we call on the signatories to the 1994 Budapest Memorandum to fulfill their obligations specified in paragraph 1, which guarantees the inviolability of Ukraine's borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty.

We recall that, since the escalation of the Ukrainian crisis, the Government of Hungary has consistently represented its position regarding the territorial unity of Ukraine either in joint Visegrad Four declarations or self-issued communiques, in declarations signed by V4 Prime Ministers or Foreign Ministers, and in the course of bilateral or multilateral meetings. Foreign Minister János Martonyi upheld the Hungarian position during his visit to Ukraine in the beginning of this month as well as at various international fora during the past months.

In the current tense situation we underline that the parties involved in the Ukrainian conflict can prevent an escalating crisis and military clashes only through negotiations, - in accordance with their commitment made in paragraph 6 of the Budapest Memorandum – to which Hungary offers assistance.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary calls on all sides affected by the crisis to abstain from provocative steps that may generate further tension and lead to violence. These steps include decisions that undermine the sense of security and shake the legal security of ethnic and language minorities, including the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia. The Hungarian government will continue to express its concerns in bilateral and multilateral talks, including the EU and NATO forums.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary expresses its regret over some parties using the Ukrainian crisis for party policy purposes serving their particular interests. This behavior seriously endangers the security of Ukraine and the region, including Transcarpathia's Hungarian community.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)