Ukraine and Hungary are working on a joint document that will help resolve disputes in bilateral relations. This was announced by Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva in an interview for TCH.ua.
He noted that in diplomatic terms, 2021 begins with the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary Péter Szijjártó to Ukraine.
"On January 27, at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary will arrive in Ukraine and hold a number of official meetings. By the way, the whole range of issues will be discussed," the Deputy Head of the President's Office said.
Answering to the question whether the countries have a common plan to overcome the crisis in relations, Ihor Zhovkva said: "It would be desirable for Ukraine to conclude a relevant agreement or treaty with Hungary, which would resolve this set of issues - the so-called gentlemen's agreement or agreement on parity, equality, mutual benefit of relations. Work on such a document is underway. Pursuant to the instruction of the President, such a document was prepared by the Ukrainian party and handed over to the Hungarian party. We have already received their reaction, and now the process is underway".
According to the Deputy Head of the Office of the President, when this document is ready, it should be signed at the level of the heads of state.
Ihor Zhovkva added that such a document could contain a position on the lifting of Hungary's blocking of the NATO-Ukraine Commission and on controversial provisions of the law on education. He reminded that Ukraine has complied with all the recommendations of the Venice Commission on the provisions of this law, which was reported to our NATO partners.
The Deputy Head of the Office of the President expressed hope that the disputed issues would be resolved bilaterally by Ukraine and Hungary, and the blocking of the meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Commission would be lifted altogether.
He also stressed that the Ukrainian party is always ready to welcome Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán.
"Nothing better than dialogue has been invented in diplomacy, but this dialogue, conversation, meeting, visit must be properly prepared," Ihor Zhovkva added, noting that the Foreign Ministry and other ministries are already working on it.