The European Union intends to grant Hungary access to additional funding by the end of 2026.
According to the European bureau of Report, this was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen whilst addressing the Hungarian National Assembly on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising.
She highlighted the progress made by Péter Magyar’s new government in tackling corruption and strengthening the rule of law.
She also noted that Hungary has regained access to the Horizon Europe programme, and that Hungarian students can participate in Erasmus+. By the end of the year, the European Commission expects to expand the country’s access to funding, including under the NextGenerationEU programme and funds related to academic freedom.
Von der Leyen emphasised that the restoration of investor confidence and Budapest’s commitment to a shared European future strengthen the European Union.
Leaders from the EU and a number of European countries have travelled to Hungary to take part in commemorative events marking the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. At that time, participants in mass protests stood up for freedom, democracy and independence from Soviet control. The uprising was brutally suppressed by Soviet troops; tens of thousands of Hungarians were killed or wounded, and around 200,000 people fled the country.
According to the President of the European Commission, the events of 1956 serve as a reminder that democracy is not a guaranteed achievement and that every generation must defend freedom.
