Hungary and Ukraine have reached a comprehensive agreement aimed at enhancing the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, particularly in the Transcarpathia region. This development follows several weeks of negotiations between the two countries.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has been criticized for failing to secure similar advancements over the past decade. However, recent talks have reportedly yielded significant progress, with both sides agreeing on expanded linguistic, educational, cultural, and political rights for the Hungarian community.
According to Hungarian officials, the Ukrainian government has committed to amending legislation to reflect these agreements. This will allow for broader rights for the Hungarian community in areas such as education, cultural expression, language use, and political representation.
“Ukraine’s commitments will also be reflected in the action plan that Ukraine must fulfill before the European Union. If this occurs, the Hungarian government will agree to open the first cluster of negotiations regarding Ukraine’s accession,” stated the Hungarian leader.
The agreement includes provisions for the restoration of national minority school systems, enabling the Hungarian language to be used not only in education but also in school documentation and internal communication. Students will be permitted to display Hungarian symbols and perform the Hungarian national anthem during ceremonies, as well as use the national flag and Hungarian-language signage in educational institutions.
Furthermore, students will have the option to take graduation and entrance exams in Hungarian, with separate assessments available for Hungarian language and literature. The list of compulsory subjects taught in Ukrainian will only be expanded with parental consent.
“The Ukrainian side has guaranteed that national minority schools will remain operational even with a reduced number of students,” noted the Hungarian official.
Additional agreements address linguistic rights, allowing for the free use of the Hungarian language in localities where the Hungarian community constitutes more than 10% of the population. This includes the use of Hungarian in medical services, sports events, scientific conferences, and political activities, such as conducting election campaigns and printing ballots in Hungarian.
Moreover, representatives of the Hungarian minority will have the right to preserve their traditions, celebrate national holidays, and conduct cultural and religious events in Hungarian. They will also be able to establish their own cultural and educational institutions.
Despite these advancements, Hungary has reiterated its position against expedited EU accession for Ukraine. The Hungarian Prime Minister indicated that if Ukraine successfully completes all 33 negotiation chapters required for membership, a legally binding referendum will be held in Hungary to determine support for the decision.
“If Ukraine manages to close all 33 negotiation chapters within 10 to 15 years, our country will hold a legally binding referendum on this issue,” he concluded.
Hungary and Ukraine have finalized an agreement to enhance the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, potentially impacting Ukraine's EU accession negotiations. The agreement includes provisions for language use, education, and cultural expression, although Hungary remains cautious about expediting Ukraine's EU membership.