Ukraine passes minority rights law to end Hungary’s EU veto

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1. 1d ago

   EU Opens Accession Clusters After Ukraine Passes Minority Rights Law

   The European Union has officially opened two new accession clusters with Ukraine and Moldova after Hungary lifted its veto. The move follows President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signing amendments to the education law and a minority schools bill to protect Hungarian-language education and meet conditions set by Budapest. The legislation allows children from national minorities and indigenous peoples to study in their native language alongside Ukrainian, granting national minority status to schools where at least half of the students are taught in the relevant language. Ukrainian officials expected the negotiating clusters to open following talks with Hungary.

   Why it matters

   Resolving the dispute over minority language rights was critical for Ukraine to advance its European Union integration path and overcome objections from Budapest. The adoption of the educational amendments directly unblocks accession talks that had faced stagnation. The opening of Cluster 2 on the internal market and Cluster 3 on competitiveness and inclusive growth marks a significant step forward for both Ukraine and Moldova.

   What is confirmed

   • Ukraine passed a minority rights law and education law amendments to secure Hungary's consent and end its EU veto.
   • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the minority schools bill and education law amendments.
   • The European Union unanimously agreed to open Cluster 2 regarding the internal market and Cluster 3 concerning competitiveness and inclusive growth for Ukraine and Moldova.
   • The new law regulates the right of children from national minorities and indigenous peoples to study in their native language alongside Ukrainian.
   • According to Ukraine's Ministry of Education, 149 schools could receive national minority status if at least 50% of their students are taught in the relevant language.

   What to watch next

   • Further progress and timetable updates regarding Ukraine and Moldova accession negotiations with the European Union.
   • Implementation and designation of national minority status for eligible schools under the new education law.
   Sources used for this update (20)

   1. Euronews.com — Ukraine passes minority rights law to end Hungary’s EU veto
   2. Reuters — Ukraine says EU set to open next accession stages after Kyiv passes minority rights law
   3. Українська правда — Zelenskyy signs education law amendments sought by Hungary to unblock Ukraine's EU accession talks
   4. Yahoo — EU expands accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova
   5. Інтент — Officials at the Regional State Administration declined…
   6. Kyiv Post — EU States Unanimously Agree to Open 2 New Accession Clusters for Ukraine
   7. Українська правда — Ukraine passes amendments to education law to secure Hungary's consent for EU accession clusters
   8. The Kyiv Independent — Update: Zelensky signs minority schools bill to appease Hungary, advance EU talks
   9. Le Monde.fr — Ukraine's EU accession bid advances with new chapter
   10. Kyiv Post — ‘No More Artificial Delays!’ – Lithuania Urges Faster Ukraine EU Accession
   11. Yahoo — Ukraine expects two EU negotiating clusters to open on 13 October, foreign minister says after talks with Hungary
   12. Yahoo — Hungarian PM reacts to Ukraine's adoption of amendments to law on education for national minorities
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