(MENAFN- UkrinForm) She said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"I'm still optimistic that we could open all the clusters – this year – and that we will find a solution with Hungary. Especially now, since I have visited Zakarpattia on Monday where I wanted to see how the minorities live, including the Hungarian minority, and I'm sure that they have a lot of rights. I have met two representatives of the Hungarian minority. Nobody was complaining. So this will be also my message when I come back to Brussels," Kos said.

She stressed that any remaining Hungarian concerns regarding minorities could be addressed within negotiations without blocking the opening of the first cluster.

"If there are any concerns, and there are concerns, from Hungary, which we are taking very seriously, it's exactly within cluster one where we tackle and discuss all the concerns Hungary has. Because the first cluster is about the Fundamentals, and there is no way that we would accept a country into the EU if it does not protect the minorities. This is the DNA of the European Union, so we just have to find a proper way," Kos said.

Read also: EU membership will be political anchor of security guarantees for Ukraine – Kos

Kos stressed that she will closely monitor the protection of minority rights, as this is a core principle for the EU.

"Indeed, I said 'strict,' but I will also be fair and engaged. There are many reasons why we have to be strict, not just myself, with the Fundamentals. This is what makes us so unique. This how the EU has been established, and this is what differentiates us from many other communities all around the world, where some minorities can't even live a normal life," Kos added.

Kos earlier stated at a press briefing in Uzhhorod that Ukraine had fulfilled its obligations regarding minority rights and that the first cluster of EU accession negotiations could now be opened.

Ukrinform photos are available for purchase here .

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