Ukraine ready to intensify dialogue with Hungary on national minorities – Sybiha

Ukraine is ready to open a new and mutually beneficial chapter in relations with Hungary and work with the country's new government on all bilateral issues, including national minorities.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said this in a post on X following talks with Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Anita Orban, Ukrinform reports.

Sybiha described the weekend phone call as "constructive and substantive."

"I reaffirmed that Ukraine is ready to open a new, mutually beneficial chapter in Ukrainian-Hungarian relations without delay. We are prepared to work with the new Hungarian government on all issues of our bilateral agenda, including the national minority topic, with the aim of restoring trust and good-neighborly relations between our countries," he said.

Sybiha added that the two sides agreed to hold another round of Hungarian-Ukrainian expert-level consultations as early as this week "to find practical and robust solutions for the Hungarian minority in the Zakarpattia region, which will benefit both countries and our bilateral relations."

"Our goal is to ensure European standards and practices," the minister said.

During the talks, Sybiha also raised the issue of Ukraine's progress toward EU membership and reaffirmed Kyiv's readiness to open EU accession negotiation clusters as soon as possible.

Earlier, it was reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar is set to visit Poland this week on his first official foreign trip. He is expected to travel to Krakow, Warsaw and Gdansk for meetings with Poland's president and prime minister.