The European Commission has put forward a proposal to unfreeze €4.2 billion in cohesion funds for Hungary, along with reinstating full access to the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs for Hungarian students and researchers. This move comes as Hungary has reportedly taken steps to address various rule-of-law issues that have been affecting the EU budget. These steps include reforms in public procurement, anti-corruption measures, handling conflicts of interest, and enhancing the effectiveness of prosecutorial actions.
The proposal, however, is not yet finalized. It requires approval from the Council of the European Union, which has a month to decide on whether to lift the restrictions that were initially imposed in 2022. Until the Council grants approval, the funding restrictions will remain in place.
It is important to note that the €4.2 billion is only a portion of the EU funds that are still withheld from Hungary. Other cohesion funds remain blocked under different conditions, and the release of Hungary’s recovery funds is being examined through a separate process.
This development is part of ongoing negotiations between the EU and Hungary, as the latter works to align its practices with EU standards to regain access to financial support. The outcome of the Council’s decision will significantly impact Hungary’s access to these crucial funds and programs.