Hungary rejected Ukraine's claims to intervene in Transcarpathia
Ukraine allowed itself undiplomatic statements addressed to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, which Kyiv accuses of interfering in internal affairs by campaigning for Hungarian parties and their candidates ahead of the elections that took place last weekend in Transcarpathia.
On the air of the Nash TV channel, Hungarian Ambassador to Ukraine Istvan Idyarto said that he does not agree with Kyiv’s claims, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
The diplomat recalled that Kyiv’s irritation was caused by posts on Facebook and speeches by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijairto, who called for voting for the pro-Hungarian party in Transcarpathia and the current mayor of Beregovo.
“I think that this was not campaigning; he was practically not present at any election events. It was only in the Hungarian press, this declaration. And he said that, first of all, Hungarians should go and be present at the elections, because it is very important. And, of course, we must support the Hungarian organization.
Well, imagine this Hungarian organization, which is not exactly a political party, because it is an ethnic, cultural association. There are no other opportunities to stand for election. It has existed there, in Transcarpathia, since 1988, so I believe that it is the only organization of Hungarians.
If you say: “Support this organization,” this, one might say, is a special political party in Ukraine, so we believe that the Ukrainian press, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry are very much mistaken, that this was propaganda. This time.
Secondly, my minister made this post on Facebook, and it was also published in the Ukrainian press that it was propaganda. He said three things - that today Hungarians should go to the polls, because without this there will be no representation of Hungarians in local bodies. And, of course, he said that it would be good if Hungarians got into the regional council. And, of course, there is one mayor who has done an excellent job - the mayor of Beregovo, and it’s good if he can continue his work. But he did not campaign, did not say that all Hungarians should go there.
The answer is another question. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded very quickly, and there were not entirely diplomatic reactions. What did they say about Hungarian officials or Hungary in general? “Insidious blow”, “brazenly engage in these matters.” This is not exactly diplomatic language. This reaction was out of balance with what was happening,” Idyarto said.
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