The European Commission has proposed releasing €4.2 billion in frozen cohesion funds to Hungary, along with restoring full access to the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs for Hungarian students and researchers. This proposal marks a significant step as Hungary has implemented reforms addressing rule-of-law concerns related to EU budget management.
The Commission acknowledged that Hungary made progress on several fronts, including public procurement, anti-corruption measures, conflicts of interest, and the effectiveness of prosecutorial actions. These reforms are seen as necessary steps to resolve the issues that led to the freezing of funds.
The proposal now requires approval from the Council of the European Union, which has a month to decide on lifting the measures initially imposed in 2022. Until the Council’s decision is made, the current funding restrictions will remain in effect.
It’s important to note that the €4.2 billion represents only a portion of the EU funds that remain restricted for Hungary. Additional cohesion funding is still blocked under separate conditions, and Hungary’s access to recovery funds is undergoing a separate assessment process.