Hungary Seeks Progress in Ukraine Relations

Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has said he is ready to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky next week. The meeting could take place after technical negotiations on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine are completed, which he said were progressing encouragingly.

Improving relations between Budapest and Kyiv is also important for the European Union's support for Ukraine. Although Magyar has adopted a less confrontational approach than his predecessor Viktor Orbán, he has stressed that progress on the rights of the roughly 150,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine remains a precondition for supporting the country's accession to the EU.

Following April's election, the new Hungarian government has sought to strengthen ties with EU member states. After visits to Poland and Austria, Magyar is due to travel to Berlin before continuing on to Paris.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the arrival of the new government as a new beginning in relations with Hungary. He congratulated Magyar on his election victory and expressed confidence in his ability to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

"We trust him to lead Hungary back to the heart of Europe", Merz said.

He added that Magyar's victory was an inspiration for Europe and proof that countries do not have to move only in an "illiberal or authoritarian direction" but can also return to the political center.

(reuters, nepszava.hu, bak)