Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Friday in his first top-level talks with EU leaders since his election victory in April, as he seeks to unlock billions of euros in frozen EU funds.
The meeting comes during Magyar’s two-day visit to Brussels, his first official trip to the EU’s seat since his Tisza Party won a two-thirds election victory in a high-turnout vote that ended Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule.
Magyar is seeking to reset relations with the European Union and secure the release of around €18 billion in cohesion and recovery funds withheld over rule-of-law concerns.
Brussels began suspending funding to Hungary in 2022 under a conditionality mechanism linking EU payments to adherence to rule-of-law standards, citing concerns over public procurement, judicial independence and anti-corruption safeguards.
Magyar on Thursday said a deal on releasing frozen EU funds was close, as there is an agreement on many issues although there were some outstanding questions regarding the fight against corruption.
Frozen funds
An initial €6.3 billion was frozen, with additional funds later withheld.
EU funding has long been one of the main drivers of investment in Hungary, supporting infrastructure and development projects. However, the country’s economy has slowed in recent years, with growth estimated at 0.4 percent in 2025 after a period of stagnation, the OECD said.
Magyar earlier met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels.
His election has been widely seen as opening the way for improved ties with Brussels after years of tensions under Orban, who frequently clashed with EU institutions and pursued a more confrontational stance.
Rule-of-law reforms
With a strong parliamentary mandate, Magyar said he will push for legislative changes aimed at addressing EU concerns.
EU officials have indicated that any release of funds will depend on concrete reforms being implemented, with the Commission saying Hungary must carry out judicial reforms and ensure prosecutors can tackle fraud and corruption before money is unblocked.
The commission has also linked access to specific tranches of funding to measures strengthening the National Judicial Council and reforming the Supreme Court, while keeping other funds frozen until “super milestones” are fully met.
(with newswires)
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