Péter Mátyás, the leader of Hungary’s newly elected Tisza party, has called for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in early June. The proposed location for this significant dialogue is Berehove, a town in Ukraine with a substantial Hungarian population. Mátyás announced his initiative following a discussion with Berehove’s mayor, Zoltan Babjak, who provided insights into the current situation of Hungarians in the Transcarpathia region.
In a statement on social media, Mátyás emphasized the meeting’s objective: to improve the conditions and rights of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine. He urged the Ukrainian government to lift legal restrictions that have been in place for over a decade, advocating for the restoration of cultural, linguistic, administrative rights, and access to higher education for the Hungarian community.
Mátyás expressed optimism that resolving these issues could pave the way for a new chapter in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations. He stated, “If we can address these matters, we will undoubtedly open a new chapter in our bilateral relations.”
During their meeting, Babjak and Mátyás also discussed various challenges facing the community, particularly in the cultural and educational sectors. They explored ways to enhance connections with European institutions and development programs.
This meeting proposal comes in the wake of the Tisza party’s significant electoral victory on April 12, which ended a 16-year tenure of Viktor Orbán’s leadership. Mátyás is set to take the oath of office as Prime Minister on May 9, marking a pivotal moment in Hungarian politics.
Péter Mátyás, leader of Hungary's Tisza party, has proposed a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky to discuss the rights of ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine. This initiative follows the party's recent electoral victory, signaling a potential shift in Hungarian-Ukrainian relations.