DistantNews
Support us
Hungary, Ukraine agree on minority rights deal, paving way for EU talks
🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

Hungary, Ukraine agree on minority rights deal, paving way for EU talks

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Hungary and Ukraine have reached an agreement on the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority in Ukraine, according to Budapest.
  • The deal, achieved after three weeks of negotiations, improves educational, linguistic, cultural, and political rights for over 100,000 ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine's Transcarpathian region.
  • Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated this agreement was reached in a decade where his predecessor, Viktor Orban, failed, and it is crucial for Ukraine's EU accession bid.

Hungary and Ukraine have finalized an agreement concerning the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority residing in Ukraine, a development crucial for Kyiv's aspirations to join the European Union. Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the breakthrough on the platform X, asserting that his team secured in three weeks what his predecessor, Viktor Orban, could not achieve in a decade.

The comprehensive accord is set to enhance educational opportunities, as well as linguistic, cultural, and political rights for the more than 100,000 members of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine's western Transcarpathian region. Ukraine has committed to implementing these changes legally in the near future, with this pledge to be incorporated into Ukraine's EU accession action plan.

after three weeks of negotiations with Ukraine, my team achieved what my predecessor Viktor Orban could not in a decade.

— Peter MagyarHungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar announced the agreement on the platform X, highlighting the speed of resolution compared to his predecessor.

Magyar, who assumed office on May 9, had previously made the resolution of minority rights issues in the neighboring country a prerequisite for Hungary's consent to begin EU accession talks with Ukraine, which is currently defending itself against Russian aggression. Relations between Hungary and Ukraine had reached a low point under Orban, who was perceived as more Russia-friendly and frequently obstructed EU initiatives concerning Ukraine.

Earlier in the week, during his first visit to Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Magyar expressed optimism about resolving the dispute with Ukraine. He indicated readiness for an early meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating, "We are ready to open a new chapter in Hungarian-Ukrainian relations." However, Magyar also reiterated Hungary's stance against an accelerated EU accession for Ukraine, suggesting support for membership only if Ukraine successfully completes all accession chapters within 10 to 15 years, subject to a legally binding referendum.

We are ready to open a new chapter in Hungarian-Ukrainian relations.

— Peter MagyarMagyar expressed his willingness to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and improve bilateral ties.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog