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Update: Zelensky signs minority schools bill to appease Hungary, advance EU talks
The Kyiv Independent • • world
Key Points:
- President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill on Oct. 12 reinforcing educational rights for Ukraine's national minorities, a key demand from Hungary to advance Ukraine's EU accession talks.
- The bill, passed by parliament with 266 votes, grants special status to schools where over 50% of pupils study in a minority EU language, notably benefiting Ukraine's Hungarian-speaking community in Zakarpattia Oblast.
- Hungary welcomed the legislation as a significant step following months of dialogue, while Ukrainian officials said it formalizes existing minority education rights without major practical changes.
- The passage of the bill clears the way for the EU to open two more accession clusters with Ukraine and Moldova at an Oct. 13 meeting, furthering Kyiv's EU integration process.
- Hungary had previously blocked Ukraine's EU talks over minority rights concerns, but the pro-European Hungarian government recently lifted its veto, linking progress to Ukraine's implementation of agreed educational reforms.
