Ukraine working on minorities decision that could address Hungary's concerns, official says
Photo: Taras Kachka (Getty Images)
Ukraine has developed an action plan in line with EU membership requirements regarding national minorities, and relevant measures are already underway. The steps take Hungary’s interests into account, according to Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka.
The official noted that Hungary’s new government is being formed this week. He added that Ukraine now has a "window of opportunity" to show that opening the first negotiation cluster would benefit Hungary’s position on protecting national minorities.
"There is a relevant benchmark on respect for national minorities within the requirements for EU member states. We have developed an Action Plan together with this roadmap, and measures regarding national minorities are already being implemented. They fully take all of Hungary’s interests into account," Kachka said.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that for this reason, there are high expectations that work will begin once the Hungarian government is formed.
"There are many dates on the calendar when the necessary decisions can be adopted. That is why we believe that at the COREPER level, that is at the level of permanent representatives of EU member states, there will be prompt approval of all six clusters," he said.
Kachka expressed hope that this could happen on May 26, adding that it would not be a big problem if, technically, it takes place on June 16 instead.
"But in order to preserve political unity and solidarity, it is very important for the European Union to adopt these decisions and then work together until the end of Cyprus’ presidency of the European Union," he stressed.
Hungary’s position on Ukraine
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar previously called for expanding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine’s Zakarpattia region. He stressed that Hungary would support the start of Ukraine’s EU accession talks only if demands regarding the rights of the Hungarian community are met.
According to media reports, the issue was discussed during the Hungarian Prime Minister’s meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa in Brussels.
Magyar effectively backed a list of 11 demands that Viktor Orbán's government handed to Kyiv back in 2024. A large part of those demands concerns language rights for the Hungarian minority and the ability to study in the Hungarian language.
In addition, at the end of April, Magyar met with Berehove Mayor Zoltán Babják. They discussed support for the Hungarian community in Zakarpattia and prospects for restoring relations between Kyiv and Budapest. Babják stated that there is no discrimination against the Hungarian national minority.
Notably, Péter Magyar proposed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold a meeting in Berehove in June. The goal is to discuss issues concerning the Hungarian community and Ukrainian-Hungarian relations.
