The OSCE High Commissioner for national minorities Astrid Thors is visiting Transcarpathia

The Regional Council Chairman Volodymyr Chubirko met with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors, who is visiting Transcarpathia.

Doctor of Law Astrid Thors was nominated for the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities two years ago.

During the meeting with Volodymyr Chubirko, Astrid Thors first of all said that she wanted to analyze how the law on voluntary association of communities would affect the development of national minorities in the region. "This is a complex issue. Therefore, we want to study the opinions of authorities, the communities themselves about this process", – the High Commissioner said.

Volodymyr Chubirko noted that the law already allows for association of communities. "The law provides for clear criteria for association, including the infrastructure for this process. Initially, it was suggested to create 36 communities in the region, but the communities did not agree to that. Districts began to make their own decisions on voluntary association. The main thing for the communities is that they know what preferences they will receive from it. Currently, communities themselves are finding ways of association, suggest their own versions. We will support these communities and we will object if the associations are created for some political goals. As for minorities, they will benefit from this law, they will have more rights. Especially because they live densely in the region and can easily unite", – the Chairman of Regional Council said.

He also assured that the communities have established close cooperation with neighboring Hungarian regions. "In the framework of the Eastern Partnership, we receive help for the repair of schools, kindergartens, hospitals not only in Hungarian villages, but all over the region", – Volodymyr Chubirko stated.