STORY
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar has said his Government is close to reaching an agreement with the European Union on the release of frozen EU funds. The money has been withheld over concerns about rule of law, anti-corruption safeguards and institutional standards under the previous administration.
Magyar said talks in Brussels had made significant progress, although some issues linked to anti-corruption measures remained unresolved. He was due to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as part of efforts to finalise the package and restore access to EU money seen as important for Hungary’s weak economy and strained public finances.
The funds under discussion include €6.5 billion in grants and €3.9 billion in loans, while a further €7 billion in structural funds remains frozen. Magyar also said Hungary would seek to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, a move which would mark a significant change in the country’s relationship with EU oversight institutions.