Martonyi briefs parliamentary committee on Ukraine

Budapest, March 5 (MTI) – The Hungarian government stands ready to extend immediate aid to the Hungarian community in western Ukraine, Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi told a session on parliament’s national security and foreign affairs committee today.

The minister cautioned that it was far from the case that the crisis and associated dangers were over. He noted that the situation was in a state of flux, and it is not known what the next few hours or days will bring, he said. But there are several signs that the situation is easing and the level of danger experienced by the Hungarian community of Transcarpathia has not grown, he said.

Originally, the meeting of the parliamentary committee was to have been held behind closed doors, but Martonyi asked for the debate to be held openly, saying that parties and the public alike should be properly briefed.

The government has already taken measures to fill up the country’s gas stores and Hungary has the appropriate levels of gas in reserves, the minister said.

He told the committee that “we can be calm, not only because it is March, but because the country has the appropriate reserves and pipelines which ensure that, in time of need, the country should have gas supplies.”

On the subject of a possible migration wave into Hungary, Martonyi said he trusted that no one would spread false rumours and whip up a panic. Nevertheless, the government and authorities are prepared for every eventuality, he said.

The minister also gave warning that rumours of a general mobilisation in Ukraine should not be given credence, since several Hungarian youths living in western Ukraine had had their fears awakened. Martonyi said he had conveyed Hungary’s concerns to Russia’s ambassador to Budapest, and the diplomat had essentially repeated Russia’s standpoint.

Photo: sikerado.hu

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