Slovak News Back to the news
Lajcak: We're Interested in Discussing Dual Citizenship with Hungary
Friday 07 May 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, May 7 (TASR) - Slovakia has indicated to Hungary that it is interested in discussing the topic of dual citizenship, Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak told TASR on Friday.
Hungary's incoming Foreign Affairs Minister Janos Martonyi recently stated that ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries may be given dual citizenship following an amendment to the relevant legislation, based on individual requests. However, "the amendment to the Hungarian legislation wouldn't provide Hungarians in neighbouring countries with (dual) citizenship en masse," said the future Hungarian minister.
Lajcak pointed out that dual citizenship is a common thing both in international law and European practice. "After all, Slovakia uses it as well. It's important, however, to ensure that it's used in a way that won't worsen the atmosphere of bilateral relations, and that it won't be viewed as interference with the territorial integrity and powers of neighbouring countries," stressed the minister.
According to Lajcak, specifics of the future Hungarian bill haven't been formulated yet – including the practical effects for those that would hold dual citizenship. At the same time, Lajcak stressed that the process of drawing up such legislation is equally as important as its content.
Ethnic-Hungarian SMK party chairman Pal Csaky also intends to discuss the matter with future Hungarian premier Viktor Orban at a meeting in late May.
All rights reserved. Any publishing or further dissemination of press releases and photographs from TASR's resources without TASR's prior written approval constitutes a violation of the Copyrights Act.
