OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities calls for a balanced and inclusive policy to accommodate the diversity of society during meeting with Ukraine government representative

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Lamberto Zannier, met with Vasyl Bodnar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on 27 June in The Hague. They discussed matters related to interethnic relations in Ukraine and Ukraine’s bilateral relations with its neighbours in the context of the current and planned legislative initiatives pertaining to national minorities.

With regard to the 2017 Law on Education, Zannier encouraged efforts to extend the transition period for its implementation until 2023. “It is crucial to ensure that efforts aimed at strengthening the role of the state language for successful integration are balanced by measures to preserve and promote minority languages,” said Zannier. He also called for the Law on Education to be introduced in a progressive and efficient manner and within a realistic timeframe.

The High Commissioner also confirmed his offer of assistance to the government of Ukraine with the upcoming initiatives that will have implications for national minorities. In this context, Zannier stressed the need to ensure that a thorough consultation framework is in place. “Such a framework would allow all relevant groups, including all national minorities, to have an opportunity to express their views, with the objective of strengthening their ownership of the process striving to promote a balanced and inclusive policy,” said Zannier.