A statement from the Hungarian foreign ministry quoted Melescanu as saying that the Romanian prime minister ordered the Romanian defence ministry to take control over the cemetery. The statement added that the Hungarian side has acknowledged the decision.

Szijjártó requested that the two defence ministries should start consultations “to restore order in line with bilateral and international obligations” at the cemetery.

Both ministers urged a peaceful settlement of issues around the cemetery.

At the cemetery, containing the graves of Hungarian first world war soldiers, the local council has erected a memorial site for Romanian soldiers fallen in the second world war.

Ahead of the site’s inauguration last Thursday, the visitors of that event clashed with Szekler demonstrators and eventually forced their way into the cemetery.

MTI Photo