Slovakia has dismissed protests by neighbouring Hungary over a new language law which would impose fines for using minority languages.
The Slovak foreign minister said "it's necessary to return this hysterical atmosphere - which hasn't been caused by the Slovak side - to normal".
Miroslav Lajcak was speaking after Hungarian MPs on Monday jointly urged Slovakia to rescind the language law. Slovakia's 5.4 million population includes more than 500,000 Hungarians.
The law, due to come into effect on 1 September, envisages fines of up to 5,000 euros (£4,315) for people who use minority languages in public services. It would apply in cases where the minority forms less than 20% of the local population.
Janos Koka, leader of the liberal Free Democrats (SZDSZ) party group in the Hungarian parliament, said "what we need is a diplomatic offensive so that this law is rescinded before it comes into force on 1 September".
In the European Parliament last week a deaf Hungarian MEP, Adam Kosa, used sign language to protest against the Slovak law.
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