https://tass.com/world/1390715


ย Ukraine should carry out a number of major changesย if it is seriously planning to join the North Atlantic Alliance, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told TASS on Thursday.

"The Ukrainians have to make some major changes in case they really think seriously about Euro-Atlantic integration. And I'll tell you one very specific issue: this is the respect of the rights of the national minorities because here Ukraine falls short of our expectations," he said.

Szijjarto pointed out that Budapest is dissatisfied with the situation with the rights of the Hungarian national community in Ukraine. "Their rights are being violated, their rights regarding the use of their native language in education, in public administration, in culture and religion have been shrinking. And the law, which would forbid double citizens to all public offices is very antidemocratic," he maintained. "We understand the challenges Ukraine is facing, the standoff for their sovereignty and territorial integrity, but we will never accept this kind of approach towards national minorities."

Szijjarto is in New York to participate in UN events.