High Commissioner builds on OSCE’s long-term co-operation with Hungary on national minority issues

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov welcomed Hungary’s legislative framework for national minorities and efforts to accommodate the interests of the different ethnic groups living in the country during his visit to Budapest from 26 to 27 August 2021.

The High Commissioner met with Péter Szijjártó, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of Hungary, to discuss matters of mutual interest. Abdrakhmanov commended Hungary’s solid legislative framework for national minorities, and the authorities’ ongoing efforts to support the interests of various ethnic groups and their cultures in the country, including through dedicated funding. The High Commissioner also welcomed Hungary’s approach to supporting the representation of national minorities in parliamentary and self-government structures at all levels.

Abdrakhmanov and Szijjártó also discussed the situation of ethnic Hungarians abroad, including in Ukraine. The High Commissioner described his dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities as regular and constructive and said he is encouraged by the efforts of Hungary and Ukraine to find mutually acceptable solutions. “There appears to be a recent pattern of generally positive bilateral engagement between Hungary and Ukraine,” Abdrakhmanov reported.

He said that Vojvodina, which he visited in June during his visit to Serbia, was a good example of how bilateral co-operation — in this case between Serbia and Hungary — on national minority issues can positively contribute to inter‑ethnic and inter‑State relations. During his visits to OSCE participating States, Abdrakhmanov seeks positive examples of effective ways of managing diverse society that he can disseminate in the OSCE area.

He also welcomed Hungary’s priorities related to national minorities during its Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.

During his visit, Abdrakhmanov addressed the Annual Conference of Hungarian Ambassadors and had the opportunity to exchange views with high-level officials in the Government and Parliament, as well as representatives of national minorities.