BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Slovakia defied European Union calls for a law defining the use of minority languages saying new legislation was not required. A memorandum on the use of minority languages approved by the government is now to be distributed to Western institutions for analysis and comment, Foreign Minister Zdenka Kramplová told journalists after the meeting. "This is our reaction to Western demands for a special law on the use of minority languages," Kramplová said. "We consider our legislation to be sufficient and do not see the need for such a law." The memorandum said the use of minority languages was set out in 26 legal norms, including the constitution. The EU and European parliament have made the introduction of a separate law on minority languages in official contacts one of the conditions for recommending Slovakia as a candidate to start negotiations on EU membership. Slovakia pledged to pass such a law after parliament approved legislation making Slovak the only official state language two years ago. The law, which includes fines for its violation, led to a wave of protest in the West. Slovakia's 500,000-strong Hungarian minority has been calling for the law on the use of minority languages claiming that the current language law infringes their rights. Last summer the government banned the use of bilingual Slovak-Hungarian school reports saying they were illegal and punished teachers who ignored the ban.

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