Pecs - Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković met with his Hungarian counterpart Laszlo Kövér in Pecs on Wednesday, expressing great satisfaction with the level of rights enjoyed by the Croatian minority in Hungary and the Hungarian minority in Croatia, and pointing out that the two countries were an example of how countries should care for their ethnic minorities.
"Both sides are satisfied with the achievements, the status that their respective national minorities have in Croatia and Hungary. We can be an example of how two countries treat their national minorities," Jandroković said after the meeting with Kövér.
According to Jandroković, the Croatian ethnic minority enjoys a very high level of rights, including the right to education, the right to political representation, the right to culture and maintaining identity, and the right to use their native language.
"I am truly impressed with what I have seen in Pecs today," Jandroković said and underscored that "our side ensures the same level of rights for the Hungarian minority in Croatia."
Kövér agreed that Croatia and Hungary were an example of care for national minorities and expressed great satisfaction that a foundation stone would be laid today in Osijek for a Hungarian education centre. "In the past two years, more has been done than in the past 10. I would like to believe that we will be able to maintain this pace in the next 10 years," Hungary's parliament speaker said. In addition to the usual good Hungarian-Croatian relations, Kövér added, inter-parliamentary cooperation is even more pronounced.
"Croatia is primarily a good neighbour to Hungary, a vital economic partner and a very successful tourism partner considering that 600,000 Hungarians spend their summer holidays in Croatia. It is also a good partner in articulating our common interests in the European Parliament. The treatment of our minorities can also serve as a good example to those in the European Parliament who are responsible for this matter," Kövér said.
During his visit to Pecs, Jandroković visited the Miroslav Krleža education centre and the Croatian theatre. He will also visit the Croatian House where he will meet with representatives of the Croatian community.
He described his meeting with Kövér as the continuation of dialogue that began about a year ago. He recalled that last year he had chosen Hungary for his first official visit abroad because he wanted to send a message that "those relations are very important, friendly and substantial and that we wish to develop them."
After the meeting in Pecs, the two speakers travelled to Osijek and Beli Manastir in eastern Croatia. (Hina)