OSIJEK, Jan 26 (Hina) - The Croatian-Hungarian committee in charge of minorities, which held two-day talks in the eastern Croatian city of Osijek, on Friday concluded that the position of the Croatian minority in Hungary and of the
Hungarian minority in Croatia were politically and legally arranged in accordance with European standards on the minority protection. The committee added that an agreement on the mutual protection of minorities, signed in Osijek on 5 April 1995, could still offer the adequate framework for the protection of minority communities and for the improvement of their position. The committee, however, pointed to hindrances at a local level which impeded the enforcement of laws on minorities' rights. The committee maintains that its proposals referring to education, information and religious activities, are usually carried out slowly. There are some difficulties i
OSIJEK, Jan 26 (Hina) - The Croatian-Hungarian committee in charge
of minorities, which held two-day talks in the eastern Croatian
city of Osijek, on Friday concluded that the position of the
Croatian minority in Hungary and of the Hungarian minority in
Croatia were politically and legally arranged in accordance with
European standards on the minority protection.
The committee added that an agreement on the mutual protection of
minorities, signed in Osijek on 5 April 1995, could still offer the
adequate framework for the protection of minority communities and
for the improvement of their position.
The committee, however, pointed to hindrances at a local level
which impeded the enforcement of laws on minorities' rights.
The committee maintains that its proposals referring to education,
information and religious activities, are usually carried out
slowly.
There are some difficulties in the financial assistance to local
minority self-governments of Croats in Hungary.
The committee expressed support to the demands of Hungarians in
Croatia who asked for the legal regulation of the set-up of their
minority self-government.
The committee also concluded that in line with European practice
and documents, Zagreb would ensure the introduction of the
Hungarian language into public institutions, administration and
local self-government.
It proposed to the two countries to sign new agreements on cross-
border traffic and new border crossings.
It suggested to Budapest to think about possibilities for
earmarking budgetary means to finance, in justified cases, the
reconstruction of public institutions owned by Hungarian Croatian
organisations.
(hina) sb ms