OSCE minorities commissioner discusses amendments to Slovakia's language law

THE HAGUE, 22 July 2009 - The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek, received delegations from Slovakia (on 21 July) and Hungary (on 22 July) to discuss the amendments to the "Law on the State Language of the Slovak Republic".

Vollebaek heard the views of the two sides and in confidence shared his opinion and recommendations on the proposed amendments with the two delegations.

He said he would continue to remain engaged in the matter with a view to providing a possible venue for the two sides to address matters of mutual concern in a way that promotes both interests of minority communities and enhances friendly relations between the two countries.

The High Commissioner on National Minorities, created in 1992, is a unique OSCE institution with a mandate to identify and seek early resolution of ethnic tensions that might endanger peace, stability or friendly relations between OSCE participating States.