Hungary has opposed sending a letter to the European Council and the European Commission containing the common position of all 27 EU countries on the issue of Ukraine and Moldova joining the bloc, Politico reported, citing two sources.
This letter was the next procedural step after the European Union countries agreed to open the first group of negotiations for the accession of Ukraine and Moldova on June 15. Approval of the letter requires approval from all 27 EU countries, so the issue will be discussed again next week.
The opening of the first group of negotiations was blocked for a long time by the former Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, who opposed Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Current Prime Minister Peter Magyar did not object to the start of negotiations, but insisted on eliminating the phrase “as soon as possible” regarding Ukraine’s membership.
Last week, Magyar said Hungary “doesn’t think it’s a good idea” to open all six negotiating groups at the same time. “This is partly because the ink on the first group’s documents has not yet dried, and partly because it will send the wrong signal to the Western Balkan countries – Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia – which have been working for many years to join the European Union,” he added.
EU countries have been discussing the nuances of Ukraine’s accession (and Moldova, whose application is linked to this accession) for a long time. Kiev wants a fast track, but according to the Financial Times, France and Germany have not supported this. Berlin proposed granting Ukraine “associate member” status under which it would participate in meetings of ministers and leaders, but would not have voting rights or “automatic access” to the EU’s general budget.