Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has announced the lifting of his country’s veto on a NATO-Ukraine statement after Hungarian suggestions for the document were accepted at the last minute, European Pravda reported citing the Hungarian state news agency MTI.
The NATO and Ukrainian ambassadors adopted the document with the proposals included after the official deadline had passed, Szijjarto said on Oct. 31 morning.
“They eventually took our proposal into account after all, and accordingly the joint statement now expresses support for the Hungarian community that has been stripped of its rights and calls on Ukraine to abide by international law and the requirements of international organisations,” he said.
Szijjarto said at a Eurasian summit in Budapest on Oct. 30 that Hungary had blocked the statement because its proposals had been rejected.
“Depriving a minority within a NATO member state of rights at least deserves a mention in such a document,” he said. Budapest also wanted the statement to contain a clause on restoration of these rights.
The NATO-Ukraine Commission statement of 11 clauses was published on the NATO website on Oct. 31.
In particular, clause 6 says that “Allies commended Ukraine for successfully conducting peaceful and competitive elections in 2019 which reflect the will of the Ukrainian people. Ukrainian voters provided the new government and Parliament a further opportunity to continue the wide-ranging reforms, which should be fully in line with Ukraine’s international obligations and commitments.”
“The success of these reforms, including combatting corruption, will be crucial in laying the groundwork for a prosperous and peaceful Ukraine firmly anchored among European democracies committed to common values, respect for human rights, minorities and the rule of law,” it said.
“In this regard, Allies encourage Ukraine to make the best use of the tools available under the NATO-Ukraine Commission, in particular the Annual National Programme to reach its objective of implementing NATO principles and standards. With regard to the Law on Education adopted by the Verkhovna Rada in September 2017, Allies urge Ukraine to fully implement the recommendations and conclusions of the Venice Commission. Ukraine is committed to doing so,” it said.
