\n Hungary\u2019s Prime Minister Peter Magyar will meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Friday in his first top-level talks with EU leaders since his election victory in April, as he seeks to unlock billions of euros in frozen EU funds. <\/p>\n
Issued on: 29\/05\/2026 – 07:05<\/p>\n
2 min Reading time\n<\/p>\n
The meeting comes during Magyar\u2019s two-day visit to Brussels, his first official trip to the EU\u2019s seat since his Tisza Party won a two-thirds election victory<\/a> in a high-turnout vote that ended Viktor Orban\u2019s 16-year rule.<\/p>\n Magyar is seeking to reset relations with the European Union and secure the release of around \u20ac18 billion in cohesion and recovery funds withheld over rule-of-law concerns.<\/p>\n Brussels began suspending funding<\/a> to Hungary in 2022 under a conditionality mechanism linking EU payments to adherence to rule-of-law standards, citing concerns over public procurement, judicial independence and anti-corruption safeguards.<\/p>\n Magyar\u00a0on Thursday said a deal on releasing frozen EU funds was close, as there is an agreement on many issues although there were some outstanding questions regarding the fight against corruption.<\/p>\n Inside the Hungarian think tank pushing Orban\u2019s far-right agenda in Brussels<\/a><\/p>\n Frozen funds <\/p>\n An initial \u20ac6.3 billion was frozen, with additional funds later withheld.<\/p>\n EU funding<\/a> has long been one of the main drivers of investment in Hungary, supporting infrastructure and development projects. However, the country\u2019s economy has slowed in recent years, with growth estimated at 0.4 percent in 2025 after a period of stagnation, the OECD said.<\/p>\n Magyar earlier met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels.<\/p>\n His election has been widely seen<\/a> as opening the way for improved ties with Brussels after years of tensions under Orban, who frequently clashed with EU institutions and pursued a more confrontational stance.<\/p>\n