OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities advises against a hurried adoption of the language legislation

‘When you think of ways how to make this piece of legislation inclusive, don’t hurry, and ponder the language of the law, assess the prevailing situation and how this linguistic law should be worded. Hurry you not in this effort, as this is a very important task,’ she says.

According to the OSCE High Commissioner, who visits Ukraine for the fourth time, the Ukrainian Government demonstrates their inclination for such approach and resistance to outside ‘spurs’. ‘There are quite a few out there who want to spur you up, urging you to make it fast, it is very important, however, that you be careful,’ reiterated Astrid Thors.

The High Commissioner also thinks the situation with the issue of national minorities should be improved. In this context she indicated that the effective legislation on national minorities ‘fails to reflect the reality as of today’. In Commissioner Thors’s words, the Government, however, is determined to take an effort in this area and ensure active participation of the minorities, ‘which is laudable’.

Mrs Astrid Thors is also confident that it is vital to implement decentralization of power, which is one of those things that the Government of Ukraine is now undertaking. ‘It is crucial to ensure decentralisation as it is a precondition of democratic development of a society where all the minorities may live and prosper in peace, ‘she stressed.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The 2-day agenda of Kyiv Security Forum offers six panels, all open to the media. Any changes to the agenda will be posted on the Forum’s web-site.

Media professionals can make use of the press centre with work stations, Wi-Fi access, and live broadcast of all the panels. In addition, there is a special media corner in the conference room.

Organizers are ready to facilitate individual interviews with and comments from the Forum speakers on advance notice.

The annual international event, Kyiv Security Forum, was initiated by Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation Open Ukraine in 2007. It is a platform for debates on the hottest European and Black Sea security issues. The purpose of the Forum is to enhance cooperation in the security sector between the EU and the Black Sea region, raise awareness on security developments among key players, and increasing the role of independent and non-government actors in identifying solutions to security challenges in Europe.

The event is supported by Victor Pinchuk Foundation, NATO Information and Documentation Centre in Ukraine and the Chatham House, UK.

Visit http://ksf.openukraine.org/ for more information on the project

Open Ukraine Foundation is an international charity created on Arseniy Yatseniuk’s initiative for the purpose of strengthening public diplomacy and building up Ukraine’s image globally. The Foundation achieves its goals through implementation of its key programs, e.g.: International Dialogue, Cultural Horizons, Young Leaders. The Foundation brings together a broad range of donors and individuals that care about Ukraine’s image and its future.

For additional info on the Foundation please visit: http://openukraine.org.