The Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry has rejected accusations levelled by its Hungarian counterpart that it unilaterally interrupted talks about the amendment to Slovakia's State Language Act, Slovakia's Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Peter Stano said on December 15.
Stano stressed that Slovakia is open to bilateral discussions with Hungary, but the talks may not take place until the new year. Budapest wanted to organise a session of the Mixed Slovak-Hungarian Committee for National Minorities on December 15, but Bratislava did not agree with the proposed date. This opinion was conveyed to Hungary's Ambassador to Slovakia Antal Heizer on December 14.
“We're ready to talk whenever when a constructive result is guaranteed; but this won't be possible at the meeting called by Hungary so hurriedly,” said Stano.
Hungary's Foreign Affairs Ministry State Secretary and Co-chair of the Mixed Committee Vilmos Szabó said earlier in the day that by refusing to attend the session Slovakia has unilaterally interrupted discussion of the State Language Act. He added that the Slovak government's plans to deal with the implementation regulations of the act at its session on December 16 are premature given the current situation.
Compiled by Michaela Stanková from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
