In a written answer on 30 July 2026, Commissioner Kos, on behalf of the European Commission, welcomed the bilateral discussions between Ukraine and Hungary in May and June 2026 on Hungary's so-called 11 points, which led to the adoption by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of a revised Action Plan on the Protection of the Rights of Persons Belonging to National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine. Kos stressed that the rights of persons belonging to minorities are fundamental EU values, highlighted as part of the Copenhagen criteria for accession, and expressed the expectation that Ukraine will continue to implement its commitments under the revised Action Plan adequately and effectively, in line with European standards and in constructive dialogue with representatives of all national minorities. The Commissioner did not confirm whether the commitments agreed during the Hungarian-Ukrainian expert consultations have been incorporated into the Action Plan, nor did she provide a timeline for its publication, stating that rules regarding publication fall under the competences and procedures of the Government of Ukraine.
The answer comes in response to a parliamentary question from a group of MEPs from the Patriots for Europe group, including Viktória Ferenc, Tamás Deutsch, and Kinga Gál, who raised concerns that two weeks after the opening of the first cluster of Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, no updated version of the Action Plan has been made public. The MEPs also pointed to a recent letter from the Ukrainian Language Ombudsman to Hungarian educational institutions in Transcarpathia, calling for compliance with state language legislation following complaints about the use of minority languages during sports activities, which they said raises serious concerns that restrictions on the use of minority languages persist in Ukraine.
The Commission's answer is largely declarative, offering no concrete proposals, deadlines, or verification mechanisms. It reiterates the EU's commitment to minority rights as part of the accession framework but leaves the practical steps of publication and implementation to the Ukrainian government. This approach reflects a balance between supporting Ukraine's EU path and respecting its sovereignty in domestic procedures, while avoiding direct confrontation over the specific allegations raised by the MEPs.
The response signals that the Commission will continue to convey its message on minority rights in bilateral contacts with Ukraine, but it does not outline any specific follow-up measures or monitoring mechanisms. The lack of a clear timeline for the publication of the revised Action Plan may leave room for continued uncertainty, particularly for the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia, who are directly affected by the implementation of these commitments. For the EU, the answer underscores the delicate task of encouraging candidate countries to meet accession criteria without overstepping into their internal governance. The Commission's stance may be seen as pragmatic by some, but critics could argue it lacks the urgency needed to address persistent concerns about minority language rights in Ukraine.