Hungary announced it will lift its two-year veto on Ukraine’s EU accession after Prime Minister Péter Magyar confirmed an agreement with Ukraine regarding minority rights for the 100,000-strong Hungarian population in Transcarpathia. This development emerged during a meeting of EU ambassadors, indicating a shift in Hungary’s position and allowing necessary steps for Ukraine’s EU integration to proceed.
Magyar highlighted the commitment to expand linguistic, educational, cultural, and political rights, which will be reflected in Ukraine’s action plan for membership. He maintained opposition to Ukraine’s immediate accession, suggesting that a referendum in Hungary would be needed if Ukraine fulfills all membership criteria within 10 to 15 years.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka expressed optimism about moving closer to EU membership, viewing the shift as a positive message of unity. The EU has prepared to open the first cluster of accession negotiations, despite concerns that Hungary could reimpose its veto. The formal opening of these negotiations is expected to take place smoothly in Luxembourg on June 15.
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