Hungarian Foreign Minister and his Slovak counterpart agreed on the principles of a possible solution to the long-standing dispute over the implementation in Slovakia of the controversial Hungarian Status Law

Visiting Hungarian Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovacs and his Slovak counterpart Eduard Kukan agreed on 19 July on the principles of a possible solution to the long-standing dispute over the implementation in Slovakia of the controversial Hungarian Status Law. A similar solution was agreed by Kovacs in Romania one day earlier. A joint statement released by Kukan and Kovacs said the version of the law amended in June will be implemented respecting Slovak legislation and through organizations officially registered in that country. The list of such organizations and the conditions under which they may act is to be agreed on by the two countries' joint commission on minority affairs. Bratislava agreed to take note of facilities provided to Slovaks studying Hungarian culture and language on Hungarian territory. Kovacs pledged that there will be no discrimination and that all Slovak citizens, regardless of ethnic identity, will be eligible to receive such assistance.