After the meetingwhich he called “very constructive” in a post on XMagyar sounded confident. “EU funds will soon start arriving in Hungary,” he said, stressing that the union did not set conditions “against Hungary’s national interests.”
Von der Leyen echoed the message post X his own: “Very good exchange with Péter Magyar in Brussels today. We discussed the steps needed to unlock the EU funds earmarked for Hungary that have been frozen due to corruption and rule of law issues. The European Commission will support your work to address these issues and reform using shared European values. Our teams will continue to work closely.”
European Council President António Costa issued a similar welcome statement after the meeting, calling it “a pleasure” to welcome Magyar to Brussels and saying he looked forward to “close cooperation.”
At stake is a large chunk of Hungary’s bailout fund – including approximately 10 billion euros that will end if Budapest fails to meet EU conditions at the end of August. To earn money, Hungary must give about 27 so-called “major achievements” concerning public procurement, judicial independence, professional freedom and protection against corruption.
Magyar has made it clear when he sees the problem. Funds were blocked, He saidbecause of “corruption on an industrial scale” under Orbán.
Magyar is expected to be sworn in on May 9, marking the official start of his prime ministership.
This article has been updated.
Julia Vadler contributed reporting.
