EU unblocks €10 billion for Hungary ahead of summit with expected decisions on Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
European Commission unblocks more than €10 billion in EU funds for Hungary
The European Commission on Wednesday announced the unblocking of more than 10 billion euros in EU funds for Hungary, ahead of an important EU summit where Budapest's position is seen as a major potential obstacle to decisions on Ukraine, UNN reports.
The European Commission said in a statement that Budapest has taken the measures it had committed to in terms of ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
"This means that part of the... funding will no longer be blocked, and therefore Hungary can start claiming reimbursement of up to about 10.2 billion euros," the European Commission said.
At the same time , funding worth about 21 billion euros remains blocked for Hungary.
Addendum
On December 14-15, the summit of 27 EU leaders is to decide whether to accept the European Commission's recommendation to invite Ukraine to start membership talks as soon as it fulfills the final conditions.
Any such decision would require the unanimity of the bloc's 27 members, with Hungary seen as a major potential obstacle. The Hungarian Prime Minister, as Reuters pointed out, has repeatedly stated that Hungary will not support the European Commission's proposal.
Last December, the EU froze 22 billion euros in Cohesion Funds allocated to Hungary after deciding that it did not comply with rules protecting human rights and the rule of law.
