10/11/2017 – AHF meets with Ambassador Kurt Volker to discuss current issues of interest to members of AHF, including Ukraine’s new language law that curtails the Hungarian community’s right to study in their mother tongue..
AHF Chairman, Frank Koszorus, Jr., greeted Ambassador Paul Volker introduced members of the organization. He congratulated Ambassador Volker on his appointment as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations.
The topics addressed included Ambassador Volker’s portfolio; changes, if any, in U.S. policy toward Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe, especially considering AHF’s concern that the constant barrage of public (and at times unwarranted) criticism undermines U.S. interests in Hungary; the need to have more delegations – business and political – travel to Hungary to better understand what is occurring on the ground; the Ukraine language law that in AHF’s opinion severely curtails the right and ability of the Hungarian minority (and other minorities such as the Poles) to be educated in its mother tongue; why in AHF’s opinion the law violates the Ukrainian constitution and international norms, as enshrined in bi-lateral and multi-lateral instruments and treaties; the tensions in the region caused by the law; Russia’s anticipated reaction to the law; and related topics.
AHF was represented by members the Honorable Aniko Gaal-Schott; Paul Kamenar, AHF General Counsel; Atilla Kocsis, AHF Controller; Dr. Imre Nemeth; and Zoltan Bagdy. The participants gave Ambassador Volker a copy of AHF’s letter to Secretary Tillerson, dated September 13, 2017, which addresses the organization’s concern with the language law.
Frank Koszorus expressed the group’s appreciation for the exchange of views, and wished Ambassador Volker success in his endeavors as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations.
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