BRATISLAVA, April 18, (WEBNOVINY) — Slovakia respects Hungary’s right to adopt its own constitution but expects its southern neighbor to honor the constitutions of other countries. The Slovak Republic’s Foreign Affairs Ministry acknowledges the approval of Hungary’s new constitution in the Hungarian National Assembly on Monday. “The Slovak Republic respects the sovereign right of every country to determine its own constitutional arrangement. At the same time, it expects the Republic of Hungary to the honor constitutional arrangements of other countries and respect the principles of international law and accepted international commitments,” Petra Greksova of the ministerial press department remarked on the new constitution adopted by Hungary on Monday.
“The constitutional order of the Slovak Republic, in compliance with international law, presumes that first and foremost it is the state, where the given minority lives that bears responsibility for observance and protection of its members,” Greksova declared. Protection of ethnic groups in Slovakia is in accordance with international standards, EU laws and is based on the principle of individual rights. “The Slovak Republic rejects application of legislation of any state in its territory that would interfere with its constitutional order or affect sovereignty and rights of its citizens,” the spokesperson concluded.
Hungary’s parliament approved the new constitution on Monday, with 262 votes, 44 against and one abstention. It is to replace the older document from 1949, amended forty years later in reaction to the end of the Communist regime. The legislation features a great deal of controversial parts, of which the election right granted to Hungarian living outside the country has triggered the harshest criticism. Critics argue that it will boost the position of the prime minister and his Fidesz party. Shortly before its adoption, visiting U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recommended that Budapest consults its new constitution with international institutions.
Hungarian President is expected to seal the constitution due to his close relations to Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Then, the law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2012.
SITA