Hungary warns EU accession talks with Ukraine could be halted Minority rights on the table

EU accession negotiations with Ukraine could be halted if Kyiv fails to meet its obligations regarding the restoration of the rights of the Hungarian national minority in Zakarpattia Oblast, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán.

Speaking to journalists upon arriving for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on June 15, the minister said, as reported by the Ukrainian media: “If the Ukrainian state fails to fulfil this agreement, then the accession process within the first group [the first cluster – ed.] of chapters will automatically stop”.

She noted that, after several weeks of intensive negotiations, Hungary and Ukraine had reached a bilateral agreement guaranteeing the rights of the Hungarian minority. According to her, this agreement has been integrated into Ukraine’s EU accession framework.

The first cluster, known as “Fundamentals,” is scheduled to be opened in Luxembourg on June 15 as part of the ongoing EU–Ukraine accession process. Orbán stressed that, within this cluster, Kyiv is required to implement the Hungarian–Ukrainian agreement.

The Hungarian foreign minister added that, under the current accession methodology, Hungary supports a process based on measurable results and reforms.

Separately, Hungarian government figure Peter Magyar previously stated that Ukraine would not be able to advance in the EU accession process if it failed to meet its obligations concerning the rights of the Hungarian minority within the agreed deadlines.

On June 12, the European Union officially confirmed the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine.

Prior to that, Ukraine reportedly fulfilled the final requirement set by Hungary for the opening of the first accession talks cluster.

By Tamilla Hasanova