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On Tuesday morning, Mr Orbán as Prime Minister of Hungary currently holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union arrived in Kiev where after his talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he thanked the Ukrainian President for the invitation, adding that they agreed on the meeting last Thursday in Brussels.
The Hungarian Prime Minister stressed that after taking over the EU presidency, he went to Kiev on his first visit because the issue of peace is important not only for Ukraine, but equally for the whole of Europe. He added that the war that the Ukrainians were now undergoing deeply affected European security.
Mr Orbán much appreciated the initiatives that the President of Ukraine took in the interest of peace, but indicated at the same time – sharing his view with Volodymyr Zelenskyy – that these initiatives take a long time.
“The rules of international diplomacy are slow and complex. I asked the President to consider whether it would be possible to reverse the order and to speed up the peace negotiations with a swift ceasefire. A ceasefire tied to a time limit which creates an opportunity for speeding up the peace talks. I assessed the possibilities of this,” he said.
He added that he had clarified these options with the Ukrainian President, and that he had been grateful for the sincere talks and answers. He also indicated that he would draw up a report about the talks for the Council of the European Union – meaning for the prime ministers of the EU – based on which the necessary European decisions could be adopted.
The Hungarian Prime Minister wished Ukraine all the very best and promised that during the Hungarian presidency Hungary will be happy to be at Ukraine’s disposal and to help with whatever they can.
Regarding relations between Hungary and Ukraine, Mr Orbán stressed that he had arrived in Kiev with the intention of making progress on the issue of bilateral relations. The Hungarian Prime Minister described the talks about bilateral issues as constructive, adding that it was high time for the meeting to finally take place because there are a number of outstanding issues which need settling and about which they have had many negotiations and disputes in the past few years.
“We try to leave the disputes of the past behind and focus on the period ahead,” he stressed.
Mr Orbán stated that he would like relations between the two countries to improve substantially, and therefore, Hungary would like to conclude a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Ukraine, similar to the agreements Hungary has already concluded with its other neighbours.
He said Hungary – as far as its resources allow – is happy to take part in the modernisation of the Ukrainian economy, and for this he would like a settled situation.
Regarding the issue of the Hungarian indigenous community living in Ukraine, the Hungarian Prime Minister said he believes there is a chance to make progress.
At the same time, in connection with Ukrainians living in Hungary, he announced that he was happy to hear Mr Zelenskyy’s initiative that there should be a Ukrainian school in Hungary. He said the Hungarian State agrees to finance this endeavour, and will operate as many schools as required. If one, Hungary will operate one, if ten, Hungary will operate ten, he added.
Mr Orbán recalled that Ukrainians had lived in Hungary also earlier, there was also a Ukrainian national minority government, but due to the high number of refugees, there were far more Ukrainians in Hungary now than before. These families must be taken care of, they need jobs, a livelihood and security, while children need appropriate schools and good teachers, the Prime Minister added, stating that it is important that the Ukrainians staying in Hungary feel at home in Hungary.
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