Ukraine's future lies with Europe, MFA Parliamentary State Secretary Zsolt Németh declared on Wednesday. The European continent needs a strong, sovereign and independent Ukraine and Ukraine’s European integration should be supported, he stressed.

Europe must be made aware that it cannot ignore a country which has a decisive role in the whole Transatlantic security system, Zsolt Németh said at a press conference in the town of Fehérgyarmat, in eastern Hungary. The Hungarian Government remains committed to concluding the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine and hopes that the agreement will eventually be signed, he added.

The Hungarian State Secretary asserted, with respect to the current political situation in Ukraine, that Hungary rejects the use of force by government authorities. Zsolt Németh stated that the management of the ongoing conflict should be directed towards investigating the violent acts that have occurred and calling to account those who are found responsible. It is important that the Ukrainian crisis be resolved through political dialogue, to which EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and others can contribute through their mediating activities.

The ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia have seen many benefits from the EU Eastern Partnership programme, and Hungary plans to continue supporting its ethnic kin through the programme, he said. Almost sixty facilities have been renovated under the aegis of Eastern Partnership in Transcarpathia, and the two countries will soon sign an agreement about continuing the process.

Attila Tilki, the town's Mayor, stated at the same news conference that two border crossing points with Ukraine, at Beregsurány and Tiszabecs, will be upgraded and new ones will be established.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)