Nemeth sees chance for peaceful Ukraine settlement

Budapest, February 9 (MTI) – It is still possible to resolve the Ukraine crises through peaceful, political means, and Hungary is committed to such a resolution, Zsolt Nemeth, head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, told a press conference after a closed meeting of the body on Monday.

Concerning military service in Ukraine, Nemeth said that ethnic Hungarians should not be conscripted in larger numbers than the size of their community would justify. He also insisted that those drawn up should serve in their native Transcarpathia.

Nemeth welcomed the peace plan proposed by Germany and France, which calls for an immediate ceasefire, as well as a constitutional reform which would grant increased autonomy to ethnic communities without harming Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Nemeth also voiced support for Hungary’s endeavours to grant citizenship to ethnic kin and said it was important to ensure Hungarian citizens’ free entry.

Levente Magyar, state secretary at the foreign ministry, said it was in Hungary’s interest to ensure that Transcarpathia Hungarians suffer as little as possible from the crisis. He noted that the number of Hungarians in Ukraine’s army was not too high, but warned that “Hungary’s diplomacy will take the necessary steps” should that number grow out of proportions.

Concerning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to Hungary, Magyar said that though his talks will primarily focus on business issues, the Hungarian government will put forward its position on the Ukraine situation.

Socialist MP Attila Mesterhazy said that the government “must speak straight” and “declare Russia an aggressor”. Hungary should support any peaceful plan to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Mesterhazy said, and insisted that the Hungarian prime minister should also meet the Ukrainian president.

Istvan Szavay, deputy of radical nationalist Jobbik, said that Hungary should “stay away from this war” and insisted that it was “unacceptable that even a single Hungarian should be made to fight”.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters