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SMK: State Language Act Isn't Diplomatic Success of Slovakia
Friday 05 February 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, February 5 (TASR) - Ethnic-Hungarian SMK Chairman Pal Csaky said on Friday that, unlike Slovak Premier Robert Fico, he doesn't view the State Language Act amendment as a diplomatic success for Slovakia.
Csaky justifies his stance by reactions from abroad regarding the issue. In January, a Venice Committee delegation came to Slovakia to evaluate the Language Act and its implementation. Csaky went on the mention a letter sent to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico by US Congressman Dennis Kucinich on the Language Act, criticising its shortcomings and outdated spirit, and the return visit of OSCE Commissioner for National Minorities Knut Vollebaek on Monday.
The meeting between Vollebaek and SMK representatives will focus on the Language Act. SMK harbours the conviction that the Language Act needs to be changed and, furthermore, Slovakia should pass a law on national minorities and the use of their languages.
At the meeting, SMK MP Jozsef Berenyi plans to inform the Commissioner about the negative experiences the Hungarian nationals are having with the Language Act and its implementation. Berenyi also intends to present SMK's idea on how the minority language issues should be addressed.
Vollebaek will also meet with Most-Hid representatives (a party formed by splinter faction from SMK - ed. note) as well. "We will ask how he views the Government measures, and offer our opinions," TASR learned from Most-Hid Chairman Bela Bugar. He added that the party managed to get some concessions on the matter; however, Most-Hid is still convinced the Language Act isn't good.
Bugar said that it's important for the Language Act to be a success in Slovakia, which hasn't happened yet. He also pointed out that the Language Act, which has been in effect for almost six months, is a live issue – even the Slovak National Party (SNS) has recently submitted an amendment to the Act (that addresses the too-rapid spread of English in Slovakia). "The original Act has raised concerns over its ambiguity," according to Bugar.
Most-Hid doesn't intend to file a motion before the Constitutional Court over the Language Act, as it sees little chance of a positive result prior to June's parliamentary election. "We'll wait after the election, when other options may appear," said Bugar.
The Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry appreciates the attention of American Congressman Kucinich. "However, we're greatly surprised by the congressman's lack of information, as he operates on incorrect or misleading 'facts' despite having all necessary data on the Language Act at his disposal," the Ministry said in response to his letter, adding that the Act respects the rights of all Slovak citizens.
On Monday (February 8), Vollebaek will meet Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic, Premier Robert Fico, Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak and Culture Minister Marek Madaric. He will also hold talks with the Parliamentary Committee For Human Rights and Minorities and Foreign Affairs Committee.
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