Hungary has urged the European Union to open five new acession negotiation chapters with Serbia as they are an example to other nations.
Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affiars and Trade, said Serbia could serve as a model for several EU aspirant countries in terms of promoting minority rights.
According to MTI, Minister Szijjártó made the remarks in Belgrade on Friday, after talks with Jadranka Joksimovic, Serbia’s EU integration minister.
The minister noted by comparison that the minority rights situation in Ukraine was “shameful”, making reference to Ukraine’s recent education law.
“Ukraine says it is striving to become a member of the European Union, yet the country has amended its education law and banned education for children older than 10 in their mother tongue,” he said.
While Serbia has amended its education law to strengthen, even to further improve the rights of the country’s national minorities, he added.
In recognition of Belgrade’s support to the Hungarian community in Vojvodina, Hungary will do its utmost to support Serbia’s integration with the EU, the minister said.