Hungary is ready to unblock Ukraine’s EU accession: what is known about the agreement
4 June 00:47
Hungary has stated its willingness to agree to the opening of the first negotiation chapter on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union once an agreement has been reached with Kyiv regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia. This was announced by Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to Magyar, after several weeks of consultations, Hungarian and Ukrainian experts agreed to expand the linguistic, educational, cultural, and political rights of the Hungarian community in Ukraine. If Ukraine implements these changes into its legislation and includes them in its action plan for the EU, Budapest will agree to open the first negotiation cluster.
What exactly did Péter Magyar say?
The Hungarian Prime Minister stated that the parties had reached a “comprehensive agreement” on expanding the rights of approximately 100,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine. Reuters notes that this specifically involves restoring the minority school system, the right to use the Hungarian language in education and during exams, as well as the use of Hungarian national symbols during celebrations.
According to Madyar, the Ukrainian authorities have committed to implementing the agreed-upon legislative changes in the near future. He also emphasized that these steps must be included in Ukraine’s official roadmap toward EU membership.
Why this is important for Ukraine
The issue of the rights of the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia has long been one of the main reasons why Budapest blocked Ukraine’s progress toward the EU. Following the change of government in Hungary, the country’s position has become more open, although its demands regarding national minorities have generally remained the same.
The opening of the first negotiation cluster is an important formal step in the process of joining the European Union.
What is Budapest’s position?
Despite its willingness to unblock the start of the first cluster, Magyar emphasized that Hungary does not support Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the EU.
He stated that if Ukraine completes all 33 negotiation chapters, grouped into 6 clusters, in the future, Hungary will hold a legally binding referendum on supporting Ukraine’s EU membership.
Thus, Budapest is demonstrating a willingness to break the deadlock, but is not relinquishing political control over subsequent stages.
How Hungary’s Position Has Changed
As early as January 26, the French ambassador to Ukraine stated that France had already decided to invite Zelenskyy to the G7 summit, and that Ukraine would be a key topic of its presidency. At the same time, regarding Hungary, as early as late May, Magyar publicly emphasized that Budapest would support the opening of the clusters only after receiving guarantees from Kyiv regarding the fulfillment of 11 requirements in the area of national minorities.
In early June, the rhetoric softened: Magyar was already expressing optimism about the agreement, and on June 3, he announced that a full agreement had been reached. This indicates significant progress in the bilateral dialogue between Kyiv and Budapest.
