“Now in Transcarpathia, I am like a Santa Claus” – István Greja

Hungarian Commissioner for Cooperation in the Border Regions of Hungary and Ukraine, István Greja, said that after a scandal about his office, he was not able to come to Transcarpathia for several months, but now they think of him as "Santa Claus" in the region.

He stated this during a conversation with journalists at the end of December, the Radio Liberty reported.

Greja, who was in charge of Hungarian-Ukrainian cooperation before, said that before the scandal he had visited the region very often. But after it, "it was very difficult". "I was not able to come for a few months. Then, I was like an enemy, and now I am like Santa Claus," – he said.

Recall that in early August, Kyiv declared protest because the government of Hungary had introduced the office of the "Minister’s representative for the development of Transcarpathia and the program for the development of preschool educational institutions of the Carpathian Basin", which István Greja was appointed to. Ukraine regarded this decision as an interference in internal affairs and even wanted to ban Greja from entering Ukraine. After lengthy disputes, Hungary changed the controversial name of the office.

Greja also told about the areas he is responsible for. Among other things, the Hungarian government announced the launch of free Ukrainian language courses for the Hungarians of Transcarpathia.

In addition, he said, the Government of Hungary wants to help restore the Ferenc Rakoczi Palace in Beregovo. The Hungarian government has allocated 600 million hryvnias for all kindergartens and schools with Hungarian language of instruction.

Source – Yevropeiska Pravda