Peter Magyar and the EU are in disagreement over the amount that Hungary should receive from the funds blocked by Brussels.
In recent days, discussions have intensified regarding the sum of 10.4 billion euros to which Hungary is entitled under the EU’s post-pandemic recovery funds, according to two European officials and a Hungarian official.
The funds had been blocked due to violations of EU legislation by Budapest under the leadership of Viktor Orbán, who had been Prime Minister since 2010 and who lost the elections last month, according to News.
In a symbolic move, Peter Magyar met last week in Brussels with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to reset relations after years of conflict with the previous government. However, despite good intentions, Brussels and Budapest disagree on the amount that Hungary should receive from the post-Covid funds allocation, according to officials knowledgeable about the negotiations. The Commission has recommended unlocking only the subsidies, while Hungary wants to claim the entire amount.
“We are very optimistic about the unlocking of all funds,” declared Kinga Kollár, a Member of the European Parliament from the Tisza party of Magyar.
The allocation is divided between 6.5 billion euros in the form of grants, which should not be reimbursed, and 3.9 billion euros in the form of loans, which must be repaid at a favorable interest rate. Magyar’s new administration has until August 31 to officially request the funds, while the Commission has until December 31 to make the payments.
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