Fitto said the new Hungarian RRP went beyond “what was previously discussed with the EC” in terms of “strengthening the country’s anti-corruption framework, improving its public procurement law, and joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.”

The European Parliament’s budget and budgetary control committees heard Fitto regarding funding released to Hungary, and he told them that all EU members had revised their own RRPs, and there was “no special treatment for Hungary”.

Hungary, similarly to other member states, has six weeks left to implement its plan before the Aug 31 deadline, Fitto added.

Fitto noted that EC President Ursula von der Leyen and Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar agreed on a framework late in May to release community funding for Hungary blocked under various EU procedures against the country.

Through delivering on its new RRP, Hungary could access EUR 10 bln, and EUR 4.2 bln through completing the reforms required through the rule-of-law conditionality procedure, and a further EUR 2.2 bln meeting conditions concerning academic freedoms in Hungary, Fitto said.

He also noted that on June 9 the Hungarian government filed a request to have Hungary’s RRP revised to make the plan simpler and ensure maximum access to the funding, meeting the EU’s supermilestones and introducing anti-corruption reforms.

Fitto added, however, that “work remains to be done … Hungary must now deliver the reforms and investments it has committed to and then submit its payment request in September.

The commission will assess the fulfilment of the supermilestones and we’ll proceed with the payment once all of them have been fulfilled.”

Piotr Serafin, commissioner for budget, anti-fraud and public administration, said that the conditions have not changed for releasing the 4.2 billion euros cohesion funding blocked under the rule-of-law conditionality regulation, but added that that new Hungarian government had shown its willingness to take the necessary reforms.

“Therefore we expect confidentially that Hungary will submit a notification to the commission in the coming months together with evidence that the concerns have been addressed,” he said.

Then the commission will have a month to assess, while the final decision will be taken by the European Council “on the basis of qualified majority”, he added.

Once the procedure is concluded, Hungary could have access to EUR 4.2 bln in cohesion funding, with the most important deadline being the end of 2026 to take the necessary measures to avoid losing community funding of EUR 1 bln, he said.

Hungary has also “undertaken to address risks conflict of interest on the part of the board members running public interest funds,” he said.

“We want the student of these universities to take part in Erasmus-plus during the next academic year,” he said, adding that the commission’s teams were already coordinating with Hungary’s local office, but added that “for this to happen Hungary needs to notify the commission that the necessary legislative changes have been made.”

McGrath Welcomes Changes to Media Law

Michael McGrath, commissioner for the rule of law, said that the new government had made “significant progress” concerning the country’s rule-of-law reforms.

According to McGrath in the past two months the burden on the independent media and civil organizations in Hungary have eased, adding that the new parliament has taken off its agenda “the draft law on foreign funded civil society” and abolished the Sovereignty Protection Office. Parliament also lifted Hungary’s state of danger, which had allowed the previous government to override legislation passed by parliament through extraordinary measures.

McGrath also welcomed recent changes to Hungary’s media law, introducing new regulations concerning the operation of the media authority, the appointment of its leaders and its operations. The commissioner also welcomed the annual Budapest Pride March having taken place “with the assistance of the Hungarian authorities” and also that legal proceedings against the organisers of last year’s event have been dropped.

According to McGrath, Hungary’s recent constitutional amendment and other new legislation “will go beyond the requirement of the RRP supermilestones”.

He mentioned, for example, “giving the judiciary a stronger role” as well as the establishment of the National Asset Recovery and Protection Office.

The commission will continue monitoring the implementation of reforms in Hungary, he said, adding that Hungary’s rule-of-law report, to be adopted later this week, will provide a detailed assessment.

“There is a clear change of direction in Hungary, the authorities are making important reforms,” McGrath said, and assured Hungary of the commission’s continued support.