Peter Magyar announces brief discussion with Zelensky at EU summit

Expectations from negotiations in Brussels

Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar confirmed his intention to hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of the EU summit. According to him, this dialogue will take place on Friday morning in the European Council building.

«У п’ятницю вранці, як очікується, я зустрінуся тут, у будівлі Ради, з президентом України Володимиром Зеленським. Ми коротко проаналізуємо, чого ми досягли за кілька місяців» (On Friday morning, as expected, I will meet here, in the Council building, with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. We will briefly analyse what we have achieved over the past few months), the Hungarian leader told journalists as he headed to the session.

Position on the accession process

Magyar also addressed the topic of opening accession negotiations for Ukraine to join the EU. He emphasised that this decision was made by the previous government of Viktor Orban, although the mere fact of initiating the process does not guarantee its successful completion.

«Україна змогла розпочати переговори, тому що попередній уряд, уряд Орбана, це схвалив. Але сам по собі цей факт нічого не означає. Це може тривати довго» (Ukraine was able to start negotiations because the previous government, the Orban government, approved it. But this fact in itself means nothing. It can take a long time), he explained, assuring his interlocutors that he sees certain benefits in the current dynamics.

Focus on minority rights and meeting duration

Separately, Magyar highlighted achievements in the area of protecting the rights of the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia. In his view, strengthening these rights in the education sector, in the use of language, and in administrative procedures is a «historical success» that benefits Hungary.

«Всі бачать, який історичний успіх ми досягли за кілька тижнів, бо змогли зміцнити права угорської меншини на Закарпатті у сфері освіти, використання мови і адміністративних процедур. З цієї точки зору це нам на користь» (Everyone can see what a historical success we have achieved in a few weeks, as we managed to strengthen the rights of the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia in the fields of education, language use, and administrative procedures. From this point of view, it is to our advantage), the Prime Minister stated.

Regarding the format of the conversation with the Ukrainian President, Magyar noted that it would be abbreviated. He expressed hope that even within the limited time, it would be possible to reach agreements that would open a new chapter in the relations between the two countries, with the next meeting to take place in Berehove.

«Побачимо, про що ми зможемо домовитися з президентом за ці 10–15 хвилин. Я сподіваюся, що ми дійдемо до того, що справді відкриється новий розділ, і ми зможемо зустрітися в Берегові» (We will see what we can agree with the President on in these 10–15 minutes. I hope that we will reach a point where a new chapter is truly opened, and we will be able to meet in Berehove), Peter Magyar added.