EU already has 'strategic partnership' with Ukraine, Michel states
President of the European Council Charles Michel (Photo: Getty Images)
The European Union and Ukraine are already in a strategic partnership as the bloc has an Association Agreement with the country. Now, the question of EU membership is being addressed, states the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
The President of the European Council comments on the recent call by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for a "strategic partnership" between the EU and Ukraine instead of continuing to support the country's further progress toward EU membership.
Today, December 1, during the sidelines of the COP28 summit in Dubai, Michel, in conversation with journalists, reacted to the Hungarian government's remarks.
"We have an association agreement with Ukraine, which offers a lot of possibilities for close cooperation with Ukraine," notes the President of the European Council.
He adds that in December, " we'll have an in-depth debate with the 27 colleagues" to assess the future decision on initiating negotiations regarding Ukraine's EU membership.
Background
The statements by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban suggesting not to include the issue of Ukraine's EU membership on the agenda of the upcoming EU leaders' summit on December 14-15 were highlighted in his recent interview.
The December meeting of EU leaders requires unanimity among all 27 member states for approval to commence negotiations for Ukraine's accession after meeting final conditions.
Orban recently threatened to block all aid from the EU to Ukraine. He also wants to prevent the country from joining the EU altogether. Specifically, Orban threatens to disrupt the December summit of European Union leaders, where assistance to Kyiv and the start of negotiations regarding Ukraine's EU accession will be discussed.
