Ukraine, Hungary to hold consultations on Hungarian minority
Talks Aim to Rebuild Ties and Address Minority Rights
May 18 (Reuters) - Kyiv and Budapest will hold talks this week about the rights of Ukraine's ethnic Hungarian minority, the countries' foreign ministers said on Monday, as they look to rebuild ties following a change of government in Hungary.
Change in Hungarian Government and Its Impact
The new centre-right Hungarian government led by Prime Minister Peter Magyar does not share the hostility to Ukraine that characterised the administration of his nationalist predecessor Viktor Orban.
Hungary's Stance on EU Accession and Minority Rights
However, it opposes fast-track European Union accession for Kyiv and says its treatment of ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine will be key to improving the relationship between the countries.
Previous Clashes Over Language Rights
Under Orban, Budapest had repeatedly clashed with Kyiv over what it says are curbs on the rights of roughly 150,000 ethnic Hungarians to use their native tongue.
Upcoming Consultations and Diplomatic Efforts
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday he had a "constructive and substantive" call with his Hungarian counterpart Anita Orban over the weekend.
The two foreign ministers agreed to hold a round of Hungarian–Ukrainian expert-level consultations this week "to find practical and robust solutions for the Hungarian minority", Sybiha said.
Commitment to Restoring Trust
"We are prepared to work with the new Hungarian government on all issues of our bilateral agenda, including the national minority topic, with the aim of restoring trust and good-neighbourly relations between our countries," he said on X.
Details of the Upcoming Talks
Anita Orban, who is not related to Viktor Orban, said the first consultations between negotiating delegations would be held online, and could begin as early as Tuesday.
"I trust that the dialogue will be constructive and productive, and that the negotiations will soon bring tangible progress for the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia," she wrote on X.
Recent Developments in Ukraine-Hungary Relations
Proposed High-Level Meeting
In April, Magyar proposed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in western Ukraine to discuss the issue.
Hungary's Response to Regional Security Concerns
Last Wednesday, Hungary summoned Russia's ambassador over a drone attack on western Ukraine.
(Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka, Alan CharlishEditing by Alex Richardson, Peter Graff)
