Péter Magyar has announced on Facebook that his government has reached a comprehensive agreement with Ukraine concerning the expansion of linguistic, educational, cultural and political rights for the country’s Hungarian minority, numbering around 100,000.
In return, Hungary may support the opening of Ukraine’s EU accession talks
Politico had earlier reported, citing insider sources, that the veto maintained by successive Orbán governments on launching Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations could soon be lifted by Magyar, as an agreement addressing the needs of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia was nearing completion. Minutes ago, the Prime Minister confirmed on Facebook that Ukraine has committed to fully settling the language use, education, cultural and political rights of the Hungarian minority living in the region.
Magyar wrote that the agreement was the result of several weeks of intensive expert-level negotiations between Hungary and Ukraine, with participation from political organisations representing Transcarpathian Hungarians as well as church bodies.
“It is a great joy to announce, one day before the Day of National Cohesion, that the Ukrainian government has undertaken to incorporate the agreed measures into its legal system in the near future, thereby granting our compatriots in Transcarpathia far broader educational, cultural, linguistic and political rights than before,” he said as per the Hungarian News Agency.
Referendum planned on Ukraine’s EU membership
He added that Ukraine’s commitments would also be reflected in its action plan submitted to the European Union. Should this occur, the Hungarian government would consent to opening the first accession cluster in Ukraine’s case.
“Hungary does not support accelerated accession negotiations,” he stressed. Should Ukraine succeed in closing all 33 accession chapters within 10 to 15 years, Hungary would hold a legally binding, decisive referendum on the matter, Magyar wrote, attaching a video to his announcement.
Politico had previously reported that the first phase of Ukraine’s accession talks is scheduled to be opened on 15 June in Luxembourg. Unanimity is required for such a decision, which had not been possible due to the Orbán governments’ earlier veto. This marks a key milestone in the accession process; moreover, as Kyiv submitted its application jointly with Moldova, the two cases are expected to progress in tandem.
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Moldova could also move towards EU membership
Moldova’s deputy prime minister has previously indicated that, should the process fail to advance, the country might pursue unification with Romania in exchange for EU (and NATO) membership. Such a move could trigger renewed conflict in the breakaway Transnistria region, where several thousand Russian troops remain stationed.
Politico also reported that Magyar had presented an 11-point list of demands aimed at securing the rights of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia. It remains unclear which of these have been accepted by the Ukrainian government; press reports suggest that “most” of the points will be implemented.
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