Chencov: The language law, passed without consultation with the Verkhovna Rada, could harm Ukraine's integration into the European Union.
Vice Prime Minister for European Integration, Volodymyr Tsentsov, urged against voting for draft law №15412 to strengthen the protection of the Ukrainian language without prior consultation with the European Commission. According to him, this could hinder the establishment of negotiation clusters for Ukraine's accession to the EU, as the document has already raised questions from the EC, and concerns are emerging not only from Hungary. Tsentsov suggests first working on the draft with the European Commission and relevant parties.
Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Volodymyr Tsentsov, stated that the adoption of draft law №15412 to strengthen the protection of the Ukrainian language without prior consultation with the European Commission could jeopardize the opening of negotiation clusters regarding Ukraine's accession to the EU. He made this statement at a meeting of the parliamentary committee.
During the discussion of draft law №16119 regarding the educational rights of national minorities, deputies proposed to adopt document №15412 in the first reading before voting. Specifically, draft law №16119 is intended to facilitate the establishment of two negotiation clusters, which were previously blocked due to Hungary's veto.
According to Chencov, Ukraine has the sovereign right to strengthen and protect its state language, but is currently in a negotiation process with the EU, and questions are arising not only in Hungary. He emphasized that draft law No. 15412 has already raised questions from the European Commission and should be considered in conjunction with existing legislation on the state language and the languages of national minorities.
The vice-premier warned that a negative reaction from the European Commission and representatives of national minorities could create additional problems for Ukraine during the opening of the negotiation clusters. He suggested first working out the document with the European Commission and other interested parties, and only after appropriate expert review, presenting it for the first reading.
Draft Law No. 15412 proposes to expand the list of individuals who are required to possess and use the Ukrainian language when performing their duties: this includes members of parliament, heads of state scientific institutions and state cultural institutions, private bailiffs, arbitration managers, and auditors. The document also provides for strengthening the right to use the Ukrainian language in the workplace, including during the hiring process, ensuring that official documents meet the standards of the state language, improving state control and specific procedures for handling complaints.
In August, the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on humanitarian and informational policy recommended that the parliament adopt draft law №15412 in the first reading. In September, the Committee on Education, Science and Innovation made a similar recommendation.