The new Prime Minister of Hungary, Péter Magyar, indicated that negotiations with Ukraine regarding ethnic Hungarians are progressing and stated there is no link between the European Commission unfreezing 10 billion euros for Budapest and the opening of the first cluster of accession negotiations for Ukraine, UNN reports, citing The Guardian.
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During a press conference in Brussels, Magyar was asked about his government's relations with Ukraine as Ukraine continues to push for EU membership.
He indicated that there was no official link between the unfreezing of EU funds and the opening of the first chapter of Ukraine's accession negotiations.
EU unblocks €10 billion for Hungary following agreement with Péter Magyar29.05.26, 16:20
Magyar added that separate negotiations are being held with Ukraine to resolve issues concerning the 100,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine, particularly regarding their language use and other cultural matters.
He indicated that Budapest has prepared an 11-point proposal on this issue, which he hopes will be acceptable to Ukraine.
According to him, negotiations are ongoing, and once everything is agreed upon, he will be open to meeting with Zelenskyy in the Hungarian-speaking region of Ukraine to "open a truly new chapter" in their relations.
Budapest names condition for meeting between Magyar and Zelenskyy27.05.26, 16:18
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during the same press conference, confirmed that there is no formal link between the funds and Ukraine's accession negotiations.
She noted that the accession process is "merit-based" and there is no need to delay it further.