Q:
A:
No reason to internationalize Hungarian minority issue
Temerin,
8 September 2004
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said in Temerin today that there is no reason to internationalize the issue of the Hungarian minority in Vojvodina. Kostunica will also visit Subotica and Novi Sad today, accompanied by Serbia-Montenegrin Minister of Minorities and Human Rights Rasim Ljajic and Branko Radujko, an adviser to Serbian President Boris Tadic.
Kostunica told a press conference in Temerin that internationalization of this issue could only harm otherwise good relations that exist between Serbia and Hungary, and he added that he will discuss this issue with Hungarian President Ferenc Madl in Belgrade next week.
The Prime Minister said the aim of his visit to Vojvodina is to establish the true degree of the incidents.
“Incidents occur on different sides. They must be neither hushed up nor exaggerated. If the incidents are exaggerated, there is a danger of fanning ethnic intolerance,” said Kostunica.
Kostunica said that the Serbian government’s aim is to preserve the traditionally good relations between different ethnic communities in Vojvodina, which he said was probably the most multiethnic region in Europe. He said he is satisfied with the situation in Temerin, adding that Serbs and Hungarians live in this municipality as good neighbours.
According to him, Hungarians are represented in local government in a higher proportion than they are represented in Temerin’s total population.
Kostunica said that perpetrators and motives of incidents must be discovered in time to prevent misinterpretation of incidents. He added that it is also necessary to work on the education of the young so as to prevent such incidents.
The Prime Minister announced the setting up of a council, which will comprise representatives of all ethnic communities that already have their own national councils.
Minister Rasim Ljajic said that internationalization of the problems in Vojvodina would not help to resolve them, adding that the right way to resolve the problems is a dialogue within the country.
“This visit aims to show our readiness to discuss these problems openly, rather than to sweep them under the carpet,” said Ljajic.
Radujko conveyed President Boris Tadic’s message that the issue of the status of minorities in Serbia is the state’s top priority.
Vojvodina’s Secretary for National Minorities Tomas Korhec said he is pleased with the Prime Minister’s visit and added that it represents proof that the state organs attach great importance to problems in Vojvodina.
“There is a high level of intolerance in our society, especially with young people. This intolerance is two-way, and to stop it, we need a proper penal policy and prevention, “ said Korhec.
Photo Gallery:
The visit by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica to Temerin, Subotica and Novi Sad
The Prime Minister said the aim of his visit to Vojvodina is to establish the true degree of the incidents.
“Incidents occur on different sides. They must be neither hushed up nor exaggerated. If the incidents are exaggerated, there is a danger of fanning ethnic intolerance,” said Kostunica.
Kostunica said that the Serbian government’s aim is to preserve the traditionally good relations between different ethnic communities in Vojvodina, which he said was probably the most multiethnic region in Europe. He said he is satisfied with the situation in Temerin, adding that Serbs and Hungarians live in this municipality as good neighbours.
According to him, Hungarians are represented in local government in a higher proportion than they are represented in Temerin’s total population.
Kostunica said that perpetrators and motives of incidents must be discovered in time to prevent misinterpretation of incidents. He added that it is also necessary to work on the education of the young so as to prevent such incidents.
The Prime Minister announced the setting up of a council, which will comprise representatives of all ethnic communities that already have their own national councils.
Minister Rasim Ljajic said that internationalization of the problems in Vojvodina would not help to resolve them, adding that the right way to resolve the problems is a dialogue within the country.
“This visit aims to show our readiness to discuss these problems openly, rather than to sweep them under the carpet,” said Ljajic.
Radujko conveyed President Boris Tadic’s message that the issue of the status of minorities in Serbia is the state’s top priority.
Vojvodina’s Secretary for National Minorities Tomas Korhec said he is pleased with the Prime Minister’s visit and added that it represents proof that the state organs attach great importance to problems in Vojvodina.
“There is a high level of intolerance in our society, especially with young people. This intolerance is two-way, and to stop it, we need a proper penal policy and prevention, “ said Korhec.
Photo Gallery:
The visit by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica to Temerin, Subotica and Novi Sad
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