Hungary seeks to delay Ukraine's EU bid over minority rights concerns

Authorities in Budapest are trying to postpone the start of Ukraine's negotiations to join the European Union, by addressing the issue of the protection of national minorities to other EU nations. "Hungary is calling on Ukraine to fulfill its obligations," states the document sent out.

According to Polish Radio's Brussels correspondent, Beata Płomecka, the emphasis of the document sent by Hungary is on the protection of national minorities. The intention is to bring up this concern during the upcoming meeting of EU ministers for European affairs in Brussels, as reported by Polish Radio.

Countries looking to become EU members must adhere to several criteria, among which is the safeguarding of national minorities. In the document, the Hungarian government is urging for the reinstatement of the rights of national minorities in Ukraine to the standards that were present before 2015.

"Hungary is calling on Ukraine to fulfill its obligations," the document reiterates. According to Hungary, the plight of national minorities in Ukraine has deteriorated since 2015. Budapest is anticipating that Kyiv will implement reforms concerning the rights of national minorities in education and in the administrative and territorial division of the country, ensuring their political representation at both regional and national levels.