New Delhi, April 19 -- European Union officials are meeting Friday in Budapest with members of Hungarian election winner Peter Magyar's team about pressing issues including a massive loan for Ukraine as well as unlocking about 17 billion euros ($20 billion) of aid for Hungary withheld during the reign of outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Magyar will take power in May, but the EU is hoping to jump-start talks to fast-track cooperation with the new government, said European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho in Brussels on Thursday.

"The clock is ticking for a number of topics," said Pinho. The "preliminary talks" in Budapest before Magyar takes office are to "make sure that once the government is in place action can be taken, if app...