Hungary and Ukraine have reached an agreement on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, a development that could unblock Kiev's European integration process.
The news was announced by Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who stated that the parties have agreed on a package of measures that expands the linguistic, educational, cultural and political rights of the Hungarian community in Ukraine.
"We have reached a comprehensive agreement with Ukraine to expand the rights of the Hungarian minority," Magyar said in a video message posted on Facebook.
According to him, the agreement creates the conditions for Budapest to support the opening of the first group of negotiation chapters for Ukraine's membership in the European Union.
However, the Hungarian prime minister stressed that his government does not support an accelerated procedure for Ukraine's membership in the European bloc, insisting that the process be conducted according to the usual EU criteria and standards.
Relations between Budapest and Kiev have been tense for years due to Hungary's concerns over the rights of the Hungarian minority living mainly in the Transcarpathian region. The issue has been considered one of the main obstacles to Ukraine's path to European integration.
The latest agreement is seen as an important diplomatic step that could help advance Ukraine's accession negotiations process with the European Union.
