Hungarian Prime Minister Orban again opposes EU accession talks with Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban opposes the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU, calling expectations unrealistic and warning that it could put an end to the EU's values-based enlargement policy. He urged the President of the EU Council not to raise this issue at the December summit.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called for the removal of the decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. He wrote a letter to the President of the European Council Charles Michel. As Radio Liberty reports. Radio Liberty, which has a copy of the document, reports UNN.
Details
There are expectations that ... The European Council can and should approve the decision to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and to revise the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2021-2027. Given the current level of political and technical preparations, these expectations are unreasonable
In addition, the Hungarian prime minister openly criticized the European Commission's recommendation on Ukraine's accession. Orban believes that this will be "the end of the EU's enlargement policy as an objective instrument based on values". based on values."
I respectfully urge you not to propose the European Council to take a decision on these issues in December, as the obvious lack of consensus will inevitably lead to failure. The European Council should avoid this counterproductive scenario in order to preserve the unity that is our most important asset
Orban also calls for not putting a decision on the agenda on macro-financial assistance to Ukraine. The Hungarian prime minister says that such decisions are allegedly "unreasonable."
The European Council has not yet commented on the letter from the Hungarian Prime Minister.
Context
The EU leaders' summit is scheduled for December 14-15. At the meeting, the EU should decide whether to officially invite Ukraine to start negotiations on membership negotiations.
The EU is also preparing a package of financial assistance to Ukraine worth about 50 billion euros over 2024-2027. The 27 EU member states are to to vote on this aid package at a summit on December 14-15.
