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Fico Urges Orban to Meet Him to Discuss Dual Citizenship Bill (UPDATE)
Wednesday 19 May 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, May 19 (TASR) - Slovakia, via its Ambassador to Hungary Peter Weiss, has asked its southern neighbour for talks at prime-minister level to be held as soon as possible, Slovak Premier Robert Fico announced after a government session on Wednesday.
Fico added that he would like to meet Hungary's Prime Minister designate Viktor Orban before Hungary goes ahead and passes a much-discussed amendment to its Dual Citizenship Act.
He also said that the move follows Budapest's response to a request made by Slovakia on Tuesday, in which Bratislava asked for a session of a mixed Slovak-Hungarian commission to discuss the legislation. Hungary replied that the session can only take place after May 28, i.e. after the new Hungarian cabinet is sworn in, said Fico, describing the reply as ludicrous. The law will have been adopted by then and talks on it will obviously be pointless, he asserted.
Fico added that he's interested in updating Orban on measures that the Slovak Government might adopt if Hungary passes the law. The Slovak Cabinet has drafted a range of legislative initiatives to be discussed right after the Hungarian Parliament gives the dual citizenship bill the green light, he said, adding that the Government will also initiate the summoning of an extraordinary parliamentary session.
"We'll be waiting for an answer, with the time at which the answer comes also being of relevance. Far be it from me to make any conclusions now," said Fico, adding that the Slovak Government continues to proceed in a standard manner and keep the international public updated.
Fico also commented on Orban's claim that Slovakia is being provocative when protesting against the dual citizenship law. Fico said that he regrets that Orban views the Slovak Government's endeavours to secure a normal standard dialogue and consultations concerning such sensitive issues as provocations.
He also noted that it was Budapest that came up with its law draft without providing scope for negotiations, which constitutes a gross violation of the basic Slovak-Hungarian agreement and the rules of decent behaviour between neighbouring countries.
The Slovak PM also gave assurances to ethnic Hungarians living in Slovakia that the country's Cabinet doesn't aim to pursue any measures against them but plans to provide scope for discussions for as long as necessary. "It's a bilateral, serious matter with immense repercussions on Slovak-Hungarian relations. It's Prime Minister designate Orban's duty to discuss these issues," added Fico.
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