Peter Magyar
This will allow his government to access the entire €16.4 billion blocked under the previous cabinet.
The transfer of funds was suspended by Brussels under Orban because of concerns about corruption and the rule of law.
Criteria for unblocking the funds
To receive the money in full, Hungary still has to fulfill a number of conditions, the so-called supersteps. Budapest and Brussels have agreed on a timetable for the necessary legislative steps.
If Hungary fails to fulfill 27 key conditions related to the reconstruction funds, it could lose part of the funding. These measures include joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, revising public procurement rules and phasing out public interest funds.
Hungary awaits “guarantees” on minority rights in Ukraine
Magyar also touched on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, which Hungary blocked under Orban. He rejected speculation that the unfreezing of EU funds was linked to the lifting of that veto.
“There was absolutely no link between the unfreezing of funds and the opening of the first chapter of negotiations with Ukraine,” Magyar was quoted by Euronews as saying.
He confirmed that Hungary’s condition for lifting the veto on the opening of the first negotiating chapter remains the settlement of the educational and linguistic rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, set out in 11 points.
At the same time, Budapest will not wait for an actual change in the legislation on minorities in Ukraine and will agree to formal guarantees.
