Three Hungarian cities have won EC support for preparations to become climate-neutral

The government is committed to helping to implement climate neutrality commitments made by the cities of Budapest, Miskolc and Pécs, Tibor Navracsics, the minister of regional development, said on Monday.

The three cities have won European Commission support for preparations to become climate-neutral, Navracsics said after meeting representatives of the cities’ climate-friendly alliances. Discussions have been under way on how to reconcile the government’s climate policy objectives with the financial resources available, he noted.

Meanwhile, asked about progress regarding EU funding, Navracsics said Hungary was waiting for the European Commission’s official response to its letter sent on Aug. 22, which could be expected by Sept. 22. Professional consultations on the recovery fund are under way, he added.

read also: Orbán cabinet hopes EC could sign the agreement on funding from the bloc’s recovery fund and seven-year budget

Navracsics said that over half of the recovery fund must be spent on the digital and green transitions, and the European Commission also had made country-specific recommendations such as reforms to education, including raising teachers’ wages.

It would be realistic to expect Hungary’s EU monies to arrive in the first quarter of next year, the minister said.

Put to the former EU commissioner that the executive may be using recovery funds for political purposes, Navracsics said that “playing political games … would run contrary to the European Commission’s mission”.