The top priority is to stop violence in Ukraine, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zsolt Németh declared at his press briefing in Brussels on 20 February 2014.

Speaking after the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on the situation in Ukraine, Mr. Németh said the second goal was to begin political dialogue, while the third was to restart Ukraine’s process of integration with the European Union. These goals were in the minds of the EU ministers when they decided to introduce sanctions on Ukraine as well as to provide humanitarian assistance, he said.

Mr Németh said that the German, French, and Polish foreign ministers had reached a conditional agreement with President Viktor Yanukovych. This includes setting up a unity government within days, amending the constitution before the summer and holding early general and presidential elections before the end of the year. So far it is unclear what has been agreed on with the leaders of Ukraine’s opposition by the ministers known as the Weimar group, he added.

Mr. Németh said there are persons on both sides who are responsible for the escalation of violence, but the failure to begin political dialogue has been primarily the responsibility of Mr. Yanukovych and those in power.

He said sanctions will be imposed to affect these responsible for acts of violence and the violation of human rights but consultations in the next few days will affect their extent.

Commenting on the humanitarian situation, The Minister of State said the at the meeting Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ecumenical organisations had offered medical equipment to help the victims of clashes and consultations have begun about transporting some of those who suffered burn-related injuries to Hungary for treatment.

„We hope that the special knowledge Hungary has in this field can help and we express our sympathy to those who suffered injuries,” Németh said.

Ukraine’s economy is on the verge of collapse and a positive message must be sent, so the country needs an economic package that also mobilises International Monetary Fund resources, he added.

Mr. Németh noted that the conclusion of the EU ministers’ meeting has reflected the comprehensive consensus developed at preliminary talks between Visegrad Four officials. The EU’s position is in line with Hungary’s intentions, also taking into consideration the special responsibility felt for Ukraine due to the ethnic Hungarian community living in Transcarpathia, he added.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)