Hungary has already blocked negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU
7 June 2024 15:30
The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU member states in Brussels failed to make a decision on the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession. The obstacle to this was once again Hungary’s position, reports "Komersant Ukrainian" citing Interfax-Ukraine.
This time, Hungary again expressed its objections, despite the fact that the European Commission considers the conditions fulfilled.
“Everyone knows that the Commission believes that Moldova and Ukraine have completed fulfilling their conditions and that we should hold an intergovernmental conference. It was very clear at the meeting. Many countries said they agreed with this, but Hungary reiterated that they still have conditions that need to be fulfilled, otherwise they will not be able to accept the Commission’s assessment,”
– a senior European diplomat told Interfax-Ukraine.
Discussions will continue next week. European diplomats are hopeful that a compromise can be reached with Hungary if progress is made for the Western Balkans.
“Hungary mentioned the 11 issues again, read out two amendments to the negotiation framework on good neighbourly relations and national minorities, mentioning that we also need to move forward with Serbia and Albania. The rest of us participating in the debate, all of us except Hungary, loudly and clearly support the Commission’s assessment and rejected the introduction of new requirements. We are all in favour of holding an intergovernmental conference on 25 June,”
– another official told the agency.
From 1 July, Hungary will take over the EU presidency for six months, giving it more influence. Therefore, Belgium, which currently holds the EU presidency, plans to hold the first round of talks on 25 June, before the presidency is handed over to Hungary.
Ukraine’s accession to the EU
on 14 December 2023, at a summit in Brussels, the leaders of the European Union approved the start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
on 12 March, the European Commission officially presented the negotiating framework for Ukraine’s accession to the EU. It sets out the guiding principles and framework for accession negotiations with each candidate country.
The European Council called on other EU member states to quickly endorse the negotiation framework for Ukraine’s accession to the EU as soon as it is presented.
