TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday pledged full support for Hungary's new Prime Minister Peter Magyar to steer the country back toward Europe's mainstream.
Merz praised Magyar during the Hungarian prime minister's inaugural visit in Berlin, calling his election victory over Viktor Orban inspirational for Europe and vowing to help ensure a successful new start.
What did Merz and Magyar say about Hungary and the EU?
Welcoming the new Hungarian leader, Merz said that Magyar is the "great beacon of hope of our time" for many Hungarians.
"They have given him a clear mandate," he said. "Democracy and the rule of law in Hungary are strong once again. We trust him to lead Hungary back into the heart of Europe," Merz added.
Magyar has promised Hungary will act as an "honest and reliable partner" within Europe. He said disagreements were inevitable but stressed that Budapest would not use vetoes "on principle" and added, "I believe in negotiations."
Orban had spent years blocking key European Union decisions using Hungary's veto power, most recently delaying approval of a €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
Magyar's conservative Tisza party decisively defeated Orban's nationalist Fidesz in April's election, securing a two-thirds majority and pledging sweeping systemic reforms.
What has Magyar said about Ukraine?
However, Magyar has signaled only a partial shift on Ukraine policy. In Berlin, he reaffirmed that Hungary would not send weapons or troops to Ukraine, a stance that has drawn praise from Moscow.
He also plans to block the start of EU accession talks with Ukraine until the rights of Hungary's ethnic minority there are guaranteed, particularly regarding Hungarian-language education.
According to Hungarian estimates, up to 100,000 ethnic Hungarians live in the western Ukrainian region of Transcarpathia.
Still, Magyar said he expects a breakthrough soon. He said technical talks could conclude this week and, if so, he would be ready to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy next week to open "a new chapter" in bilateral relations.
Merz said this should happen as soon as possible.
"We understand that Budapest first wants to resolve bilateral issues, such as the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine," Merz said at the meeting in Berlin.
"However, this must not come at the expense of European support, nor should it deter us from our goal of formally opening accession negotiations with Ukraine now, starting with the first chapter."
Read: Hungary's PM Peter Magyar Moves to Oust President
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