OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannie believes that the residents of Ukraine should have the right to use both state language and native languages, RIA Novosti reports.
According to him, the goal pursued by Kiev is clear: the authorities try to reinforce the role of the Ukrainian language. At the same time Ukraine "should remain a space open for all groups of nationalities with different languages, which they should have the right to use."
According to the OSCE Commissioner, he repeatedly raised this issue during meetings with the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister. He added that he wanted to make sure that the draft law on the language was being marked up. Consultations with all groups of national minorities are needed to find out their opinion on this law, Zannie thinks. The new draft bill should also reflect the commitments of the Ukrainian authorities undertook in the language sphere.
Zannier assured that he would insist on Kiev making sure all of the above was observed.
Earlier Russkiy Mir reported the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada to have reviewed the draft law on the Ukrainian language. According to this bill, Ukrainian will remain the only state language in all spheres of life on the territory of the country. Its use will be mandatory for all state and municipal regulatory bodies. Ukrainian will also become the only language of service sector, health and education. Interpersonal communication and religion are the only domains untouched by the new law.
Russkiy Mir
