Hungary's new PM opposes fast-track EU membership for Ukraine

Hungary’s new government has reiterated its opposition to Ukraine’s accelerated accession to the European Union, insisting that Kyiv must meet the same conditions applied to all candidate countries.

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar made the remarks during his first official visit to Brussels, where he is scheduled to hold talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, according to TASS.

In a video message recorded in the Belgian capital and broadcast by Hungarian television channels, Magyar said Budapest supports only the standard accession process for Ukraine, similar to the procedures followed by Western Balkan states and other EU candidates.

He noted that the previous government led by Viktor Orbán had maintained the same position on the issue.

Magyar, whose government took office after the ruling Fidesz party won the April 12 parliamentary elections, also stated that Hungary would not support the launch of accession negotiations with Ukraine until concerns regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region are addressed.

According to the prime minister, Hungary could back the first stage of negotiations only after reaching the necessary agreements with Kyiv. He added that expert-level consultations between the two sides are ongoing.

By Sabina Mammadli