“We view Ukraine as an exceptional partner, and our relations should be further deepened,” Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs J ` anos Martonyi told an April 18 press conference. Mr. Martonyi was in Kyiv on a two-day official visit. He and his Ukrainian counterpart Anatoly Zlenko discussed a wide range of topics of which two stood out for both, avoiding struggle: struggle over the possible negative consequences of EU enlargement for bilateral relations and the struggle to defend both from spontaneous calamities.
Hungary’s undeviating and dynamic movement toward the European Union, which our neighbor is supposed to join in a year or two, cannot but concern Ukraine. Before the visit Foreign Minister Zlenko repeatedly pointed out some negative consequences of EU enlargement. Kyiv fears dissociation of this country from the European states as the EU approaches Ukraine’s borders. Hungary, which incidentally is also facing many problems on the way to EU membership, is taking a “flexible stand” in this respect, said Mr. Zlenko, expressing special gratitude for this. The point in question is Hungarian visa policy toward Ukraine. Mr. Martonyi emphasized that in this connection “we will not introduce a visa regime until Hungary becomes a full- fledged member of the European Union.” And even when Hungary joins the EU, the minister stressed, Budapest “will try to avert any negative consequences.” He emphasized that there will be a simplified procedure of visa issuance and the establishment of more consulates. The Ukraine and Hungary reached an international agreement last month on visa-free border crossing. On the other hand, Hungary plans to introduce a visa regime for Russia as early as this summer.
Control of the floods, from which both Hungary and Ukraine have been suffering for years, was also high on the agenda of talks between the two foreign ministers. Mr. Martonyi announced that representatives of our countries were to meet in Budapest in May to discuss how to protect both states from spontaneous calamities. Earlier this month, Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yushchenko and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban reached an agreement to set up a joint task force to draw up an overall concept to govern anti- flood measures. A mixed battalion will be formed by October 1, with one objective being to offset the consequences of natural and manmade disasters.
