European Commission puts forward demands to Magyar for unblocking 35 billion euros
Kyiv • UNN
Brussels expects reforms and support for a €90 billion loan to Ukraine from the new Hungarian government. To receive the funds, Budapest must fulfill 27 EU conditions.
The European Commission has initiated "immediate engagement" with Péter Magyar following his convincing election victory in Hungary, urging him to establish ties with Ukraine and commence long-awaited reforms to unblock 35 billion euros in frozen EU funds. This was reported by the Financial Times, according to UNN.
Details
It is noted that Sunday's removal of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Russia-friendly, Eurosceptic regime sparked a surge of hope in Brussels and other capitals regarding Budapest's role in the EU and NATO after years of "illiberal democracy" that undermined democratic values and hampered common policies.
According to the publication, EU officials, who were briefed on the initial talks between Brussels and Budapest, stated that Magyar's overwhelming majority with the right to change the constitution exceeded their expectations. But it also raised the bar for what the Commission expects from the conservative politician.
We will start working with the government as soon as possible to achieve rapid and long-overdue progress for the benefit of the Hungarian people
At the same time, she warned that "there is still a lot of work ahead as Hungary returns to the European path."
Meanwhile, according to two unnamed diplomats from EU member states, the European Union expects Magyar to unblock a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine and lift Budapest's veto on the next round of sanctions against Russia "as key signs of the new prime minister's desire to restore deeply damaged relations with the EU."
EU officials have begun preparations to issue a loan to Ukraine to ensure a decision on its disbursement as soon as Magyar is sworn in
It is indicated that currently about 35 billion euros for Hungary remain blocked due to disputes with Brussels and the former government's refusal to carry out reforms. Of these, almost 18 billion euros are frozen due to violations of the rule of law and corruption risks, and more than 17 billion euros are in the form of preferential loans.
To receive the funds, Hungary must fulfill 27 conditions, including anti-corruption measures and a review of decisions that Brussels considers to violate EU rules.
Recall
The leader of the Tisza Party and future Prime Minister of Hungary, Péter Magyar, stated that Russia poses a security threat to the European Union, and the policy of the previous government of Viktor Orbán towards Moscow was erroneous.
Hungary will not block Ukraine's €90 billion EU loan - Magyar13.04.26, 18:06 • 3350 views