March 22, 1993

Dear High Commissioner,

Thank you very much for your letter of March 9,1993, in which you propose the formation of a group consisting of three independent experts to examine the situation of the Slovaks in Hungary and the Hungarians In Slovakia over a two-year period, the four visits to each country being financed by the CSCE.

In my view this proposal coincides with the objectives set for itself by the CSCE, and so it meets with Hungary's full support. We are ready to receive the experts under the conditions you outline. I am convinced that this initiative will also contribute to the successful activity of the Minority High Commissioner as an institution. It can serve as a pattern for evaluations envisaged in other countries, and demonstrate Hungary's commitment to the CSCE principles and practical implementation of them.

The discussions with representatives of the national minorities and visits to communities and institutions will provide the group of experts, and through it the CSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Council of Senior Officials, with a chance to gain the widest possible information on the specific situations, problems, aspirations, plans and demands of these minorities, which live in contiguous areas in some places and dispersed in others, and on the governmental action taken towards resolving these. I consider it especially important to underline that this proposal will provide an opportunity to listen to the views not only of governmental officials, but of the minorities themselves on their specific situations and expectations, and the measures they deem necessary for solving their specific problems.

The Hungarian government will support this proposal in all possible fora. Please be so kind as to inform me of the Slovak response and of the identities of the three experts.

I would like to emphasize again that the Hungarian government attaches great importance to your activity and sees in you personally a guarantee that this recently created institution of the CSCE will contribute effectively to settling the national minority question. This expectation is further supported by the positive impressions of your visit to Hungary and the favourable response to it.

Yours sincerely

Geza Jeszenszky