Hungary’s Peter Magyar Optimistic After EU Meeting on Blocked Funds
EU Funds and Hungary: Recent Developments
Constructive Talks with European Commission
BUDAPEST, April 29 (Reuters) - Hungary's election winner Peter Magyar said he had "extremely constructive and successful" talks on Wednesday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on frozen EU funds that he said would soon arrive in Hungary.
Background: Blocked Access to EU Funds
The Commission had blocked access to the funds because it ruled the outgoing government of Viktor Orban had breached EU standards on the rule of law.
Recovery Fund Deadline
Some of the frozen funds, such as 11 billion euros ($13 billion) from the post-pandemic Recovery Fund, must be drawn by mid-August or be irrevocably lost.
Next Steps and Political Agreements
Magyar wrote in a Facebook post after his meeting with von der Leyen that he would return to Brussels during the week of May 25 to conclude a political agreement on the frozen funds.
"The European Union is not imposing conditions that would be contrary to our country's interests," Magyar wrote.
Statements from EU Leaders
After the meeting, von der Leyen said that she had a "very good exchange" with Magyar.
"We discussed the steps necessary to unlock EU funds earmarked for Hungary, that are frozen due to corruption and rule of law concerns," von der Leyen wrote on X.
Political Context and Future Prospects
Officials from both sides have already met twice since the sweeping April 12 election victory of Magyar's Tisza party, which gave him a two-thirds majority in parliament which means he is able to change the constitution.
Legal Changes and Super-Majority
EU officials say that, due to the super-majority, he will be able to make the necessary legal changes quickly to unlock the time-sensitive funds.
Meetings with Other EU Leaders
Hungary's incoming prime minister also met European Council President Antonio Costa.
(Reporting by Anita Komuves in Budapest, additional reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Alex Richardson)
