Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Márki-Zay has stated that Budapest will only agree to open negotiation clusters for Ukraine after receiving assurances regarding the fulfillment of 11 specific demands related to the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
Márki-Zay emphasized the direct connection between the opening of these negotiation clusters and the resolution of issues concerning the Hungarian minority. He remarked, “What is most important for us is that we want guarantees that the approximately 100,000 Hungarians living in Ukraine can once again use their native language in schools, cultural settings, and administration.”
The prime minister noted that the proposal, which consists of 11 points, is not new to the Ukrainian government and typically addresses educational, cultural, and linguistic rights. He expressed expectations that the Ukrainian government will comply with these demands.
Márki-Zay asserted that this request is not unusual, as minorities across Europe and other regions are allowed to use their native languages in various contexts, whether they are students, mayors, or others.
He acknowledged that the technical level of negotiations with Ukraine is “very promising,” indicating that several stages of discussions have already taken place. “We are in technical contact with the Ukrainian side, and I genuinely hope that we can soon finalize this proposal with 11 points,” he added, reiterating the necessity for Ukraine to provide guarantees for each of these points.
Additionally, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned after a meeting with Márki-Zay that the opening of negotiation clusters for Ukraine will be discussed at the European Council meeting scheduled for June 18-19.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, during an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers on May 27, urged the European Union to open all negotiation clusters for Ukraine in June as part of the accession talks.
Media reports suggest that the European Commission plans to propose the opening of only the first of six clusters in the accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova on June 16.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Márki-Zay has linked the opening of negotiation clusters for Ukraine to the fulfillment of 11 demands regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority. The proposal emphasizes the importance of cultural and linguistic rights for Hungarians living in Ukraine.