European Commission rejects link between money for Hungary and macro-finance for Ukraine
The European Commission has said that Hungary will receive funds currently blocked if it overcomes corruption and problems with the rule of law.
Source: Věra Jourová, the European Commission’s Vice President for Values and Transparency, in an interview with Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda
Quote: "Hungary is now working on reforms, and they are taking steps to convince us that they have fixed the things we wanted them to fix – very specific things. And then, if they do, we can release the money."
Details: When asked about a possible deal with Hungary, under which Brussels would release funds for Hungary and, in return, Budapest would agree to a revised EU budget, including assistance to Ukraine, the European Commission representative denied this.
"Absolutely not. No, that's not the deal. There will be no such deal. I told you that this is more of a technical assessment of what they [Hungary – ed.] are doing, and we have to insist that they do everything they promised," Jourová said.
She added that the decision on the money for Hungary should be approved within a few weeks.
Background:
- Earlier, the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs overwhelmingly supported the proposal for a €50 billion multi-year support plan for Ukraine.
- The €50 billion programme for Ukraine is part of the revision of the EU's long-term budget in response to a number of crisis events that occurred after 2021.
- Bloomberg reported that Hungary has proposed that the upcoming €50 billion aid package to Ukraine be divided into two tranches.
- Bloomberg sources also said that the EU could unlock almost €13 billion in funding for Hungary this year to force Viktor Orban’s government to reduce its resistance to providing support to Ukraine.
- Amid these efforts, Ukraine has removed Hungary's OTP Bank from the list of "war sponsors", satisfying one of Budapest's key demands.
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