Speaker: Ladies and Gentlemen. As a member of the European Parliament, I consider the protection of minority rights to be a matter of my heart. Especially the advocacy of the rights of the transcarpathian Hungarian community, since it is my homeland. It was very difficult recently to talk about the minority rights because in Ukraine, human lives are at stake because of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine. I can say with certain that both me and the transcarpathian minority condemn Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine. We respect and stand for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Transcarpathian Hungarians are loyal citizens of Ukraine and young Hungarian people had also given their lives for the protection of their country. Transcarpathia is a safe part of Ukraine at the moment, providing a significant amount of shelter for more than 300 thousand people, fleeing the war zones. From the first days of the intrusion, the Hungarian community of Transcarpathia, its churches and educational institutions immediately stood up to give a helping hand to these people. The world is standing for Ukraine, including Hungary which started a humanitarian action, providing support to Ukrainian people. Medical treatment for injured Ukrainian soldiers and schooling for the children of refugees. Contributing for the development of bomb shelters in educational institutions in Transcarpathia or providing food and medical supplies to areas in need. We hope that peace will come back soon to Ukraine and rebuilding of the destroyed infrastructure and economy can start. And society returns to the consolidation of everyday life. We need peace to continue the reform and harmonization process required for EU application. Including the observation of the rights and freedoms of national minorities living in Ukraine. What we really wish for is tolerance and legal guarantees for our mother tongue education. Thank you.

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