Hungary has obstructed a crucial procedural move necessary for Ukraine and Moldova to advance their European Union membership applications, according to a report by Politico citing two anonymous EU diplomats on June 23.
The report indicates that Hungary opposed the issuance of a letter to the European Council and the European Commission, which would articulate a unified position from the 27 EU member states. Hungary was the only country to oppose this step, which requires unanimous consent from all member nations. The decision is expected to be revisited in discussions next week.
This delay jeopardizes the anticipated opening of all negotiation clusters related to EU integration by mid-July, a timeline that Ukrainian officials are keen to meet. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka stated earlier in June that Kyiv aims to initiate discussions on all six negotiation clusters for EU membership by mid-July.
The Hungarian Permanent Representation in Brussels did not respond to Politico’s request for comment regarding this matter.
This action aligns with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s cautious stance on Ukraine’s EU membership. While he did not oppose the opening of the first cluster for Ukraine, he insisted on the removal of language regarding the expedited accession of Ukraine from the written conclusions of last week’s EU leaders’ meeting in Brussels.
On June 15, the EU and Ukraine officially commenced negotiations on the first cluster concerning Ukraine’s accession to the bloc. This cluster, termed “Foundations,” encompasses judicial reform, anti-corruption measures, public procurement transparency, freedom of expression, human rights, and the functioning of democratic institutions.
Hungary's recent decision to block a procedural letter critical for Ukraine and Moldova's EU membership progress raises concerns about the timeline for opening negotiation clusters. This move reflects ongoing hesitations within Hungary regarding Ukraine's accession aspirations.
Source: Politico