The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has voiced its disappointment over the Romanian president’s decision to cancel his visit to Kyiv due to disagreement with the law on education passed by the Ukrainian parliament, the Ukrayinska Pravda online publication has said.
“Ukraine is frustrated by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis’s decision to cancel his visit to Ukraine because of the law on education passed by the Verkhovna Rada,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
She confirmed that Iohannis had canceled his visit, which was due in October.
“We are frustrated that the Romanian side does not want the leaders to have dialogue,” she said.
The Romanian parliament had earlier adopted a declaration expressing hope that Ukraine would adhere to the European standards of protecting the rights of ethnic minorities living in the country in the context of the law on education passed by the Rada.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin assured Romania on September 19 that the law on education would help the minorities realize themselves.
The Hungarian parliament unanimously denounced the Ukrainian legislation on education on Thursday.
Ukraine said it stood ready to forward the language provisions of the law on education to the Council of Europe for a review.
