The European Union (EU) has agreed to release billions of euros in previously frozen funds for Hungary, following what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described as “rapid and concrete progress” in structural reforms under the new Budapest government, reports Anadolu.

After a meeting in Brussels with Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar, von der Leyen said at a press conference that Hungary had undertaken “long overdue reforms.” aimed at strengthening anti-corruption measures, improving public procurement rules and strengthening the rule of law framework.

She said the changes include Hungary’s decision to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the strengthening of the National Integrity Authority, the revision of procurement legislation and the gradual removal of public interest trust structures considered at high risk of “state capture”.

According to von der Leyen, these steps, together with the agreed investment plans under the EU’s recovery program, enable the gradual release of funds.

“I am very happy to announce today that we can unlock 10 billion euros for Hungary,” she said, adding that another 4.2 billion euros from cohesion funds, tied to the fulfillment of conditions, will also be released.

Hungary and the Commission Europeans also agreed on a revised investment package under NextGenerationEU, targeting sectors such as energy, housing, transport and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Magyar, for his part, said the deal marked a “historic breakthrough” achieved within weeks of the new government taking office, arguing that previous funding delays were linked to concerns over corruption rather than political disputes over issues such as migration or policy towards Ukraine.

“We have listened several times to the previous government, listening to their objections as to why things cannot be done. They have lied to the Hungarian people. They have lied about the EU,” he said.

Magyar said Hungary has accepted anti-corruption measures, including expanding the powers of integrity institutions and new mechanisms for asset recovery, adding that “only a few weeks were enough” to achieve an agreement that had previously remained on hold.

He said the release of the funds would help Hungary’s public finances and promised that the resources would be used to support economic recovery and public services, stressing that there was no connection between the unblocking of the funds and the opening of the first chapter of talks on Ukraine.

Tensions between the EU and Hungary began in 2010, when the bloc accused the government of Viktor Orbán for promoting conservative policies that run counter to EU rules.

Later, the EU decided to launch Article 7 proceedings, raising criticism over corruption, media freedom and human rights, while EU funding became conditional due to concerns over the rule of law.

Magyar’s Tisza party won against Orbán in the April 12 parliamentary election, put an end to the 16-year rule of Orban.

Source: prizrenpost