Press statement
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities issues statement on Slovakia
- Date:
- Place:
- THE HAGUE
- Source:
- OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
- Fields of work:
- National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 20 October 1997 - The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Max van der Stoel, issued the following statement on Slovakia today:
I have noted that the Prime-Minister of Slovakia, Mr. Vladimir Meciar, in an interview with Radio Slovakia 1 on 17 October, has stated, among other things, that I do not have a balanced attitude towards Hungary and Slovakia and that I have "written off" the Slovak minority in Hungary.
Since I assumed my office as High Commissioner on National Minorities, I have paid equal attention to the situation of the Slovak minority in Hungary and the Hungarian minority in Slovakia. I made recommendations, based on OSCE norms and standards, to both the Government of Hungary and the Government of Slovakia.
I do realize that the Slovak minority in Hungary has been weakened because of assimilation in the past. But it is not my view that this minority can be "written off". On the contrary, I am of the opinion that everything possible should be done to strengthen its identity. I am in constant touch with both the Hungarian Government and the representatives of the organisations of Slovaks in Hungary about ways and means to achieve this end.
I have noted that the Prime-Minister of Slovakia, Mr. Vladimir Meciar, in an interview with Radio Slovakia 1 on 17 October, has stated, among other things, that I do not have a balanced attitude towards Hungary and Slovakia and that I have "written off" the Slovak minority in Hungary.
Since I assumed my office as High Commissioner on National Minorities, I have paid equal attention to the situation of the Slovak minority in Hungary and the Hungarian minority in Slovakia. I made recommendations, based on OSCE norms and standards, to both the Government of Hungary and the Government of Slovakia.
I do realize that the Slovak minority in Hungary has been weakened because of assimilation in the past. But it is not my view that this minority can be "written off". On the contrary, I am of the opinion that everything possible should be done to strengthen its identity. I am in constant touch with both the Hungarian Government and the representatives of the organisations of Slovaks in Hungary about ways and means to achieve this end.
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