On November 10, the European Commission (EC) expressed its concern over the fact that "relations between two European Union member states might deteriorate due to extremists and disputes over minority rights", wrote Michele Cercone, EC spokesman for justice, freedom, and security in a statement provided to SITA.
Cercone also emphasised that the EC did not have jurisdiction over solutions of concrete situations, such as those that had arisen over the weekend and on November 10 at Slovak-Hungarian borders. Cercone stressed that "every member state must use all legal tools to guarantee minority rights as established by local, European and international legal norms".
No EU member state may remain indifferent to displays of extremism, he said.
"Racism, xenophobia, totalitarian ideologies, hooliganism in stadiums and violence are not in accordance with EU values," he added.
Cercone stated that the EC monitored all violations of community rights, including anti-discrimination measures.
"We believe that both Slovakia and the Hungarian Republic will behave responsibly in this situation and in accordance with the values of EU member states," he concluded. SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
