The High Commissioner on National Minorities at the meeting of the EP Minority Intergroup

More than 20 Members of the European Parliament were present on the meeting of the Minority Intergroup where Astrid Thors, High Commissioner on National Minorities presented her mandate and the current issues regarding national minorities in and outside the European Union. According to the High Commissioner it is of utmost importance that the EU, in the spirit of the Copenhagen Criteria, consistently examines the minority situation and strives to guarantee respect for minority rights in its external relations.
 
She underlined the importance of Members States to set example. The High Commissioner mentioned the two-way approach to integration of societies with respect to minority rights. She emphasised furthermore the need to promote ratification of minority instruments and the implementation of existing national laws and international standards.
 
After the presentation made by the High Commissioner, Members got actively involved in a question and answer session highlighting challenges that different national or linguistic minority communities face currently in the European Union as well as the complex situation in Ukraine.