Hungary Doesn't Back Joint EU Borrowing for Ukraine
Hungary is prepared to assist Ukraine, but doesn't support joint European Union borrowing for the purpose, Finance Minister Mihály Varga said after a meeting of his EU peers in Brussels on Tuesday, according to a report by state news wire MTI.
Varga told journalists that Hungary has "bad experience" with joint EU loans, adding that the country has still not seen any support from credit the EU tapped during the coronavirus crisis.
He noted that Hungary has supported Ukraine with over HUF 31bn and taken in more than 1m war refugees.
Varga said that the European Commission is proposing a monthly EUR 1.5 bln in support for Ukraine in 2023, coming to as much as EUR 18 bln for the full year. The EU's executive body is asking member states for a mandate to borrow to fund the support package and also wants them to pay around EUR 630 mln in related interest, he added.
He said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates Ukraine will need EUR 3 bln-4 bln a month to keep the state operating. Hungary is prepared to participate in putting this sum together, but it does not support taking out credit, he added.
Varga said Hungary's government is working to gain access to the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) as soon as possible. He added that "lively" negotiations with the EC are ongoing on the matter, although the government "finds it strange" that new requests continue to be made in the course of the talks.
The EC wants to present its assessment of commitments Hungary has taken to secure the approval of its RRF plan on November 22, Varga said, expressing hope the negotiations would end "soon, or by year-end at the latest".
Angela Saliba Appointed New Multi-Property GM of Marriott Hu...
Hungary Welcomes Extension of China's Visa Exemption Policy
Living's Kassák Terrace and Park West 3 Classified as Brownf...
Aldi Opening Biggest Store in Budapest
SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
