Minister for Slovenians Abroad Bostjan Zeks told the press after the meeting that this was the first meeting at which representatives of both minorities were present.
According to Zeks, representative of the Slovenian minority Joze Hirnoek and representative of the Hungarian minority Jozef Kocon complained about the funding of minority TV programmes, with the PMs promising them that the problem would be solved.
One of the major open issues concerning the Slovenian minority is the road connecting Felsoszoelnoek and Ketvoelgy, Hungarian villages populated by ethnic Slovenians, which has not been constructed yet. The foundations stone was laid two years ago when the two countries' governments held their first joint session.
Zeks said things were finally moving and land was being purchased. He called on the Hungarian authorities to carry out the project as soon as possible. Zeks also confirmed the information that Hungary had earmarked a bit under EUR 2m for the project. The possibility of the Slovenian minority getting a representative in the Hungarian parliament was not debated today, Zeks noted.
Hirnoek said he had pointed out at the meeting that cutting the funding of the Slovenian minority presented a violation of a bilateral agreement from 1992, which says that no side should reduce the level of minority's rights.
Hirnoek also underlined the problem with the road between Felsoszoelnoek and Ketvoelgy, saying that the project was important for the development of tourism and economy. Hungarian Transport Minister Peter Honig assured him that the money for the project had been found and said that the construction should start in spring and last around a year.
Representatives of the Hungarian minority meanwhile expressed already at a meeting of a joint commission on 17 November their satisfaction that the minutes of the meeting included their request that all subjects in school be taught in both languages.
Both cabinets also reiterated today their commitment to fulfiling the obligations towards the minorities. They also agreed to strive to present their exemplary minority policy to the international community.
The cabinets also got acquainted today with the conclusions of a joint commission, which met on 17 November.
