Hungary's Ukraine veto is stalling EU decision-making process, Lithuanian president says
Photo: Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda (Getty Images)
The EU countries can jointly convince Hungary not to veto Ukraine's accession to the EU, but the consensus tool should not be abused, as it complicates the decision-making process, says Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda at a press briefing.
“We can do it all together (to convince Hungary not to veto Ukraine's accession to the EU - ed.), and we can start the technical process of negotiations and the opening. I hope that the European Commission has the instruments. But of course, all the time we see those difficulties repeating. But at the end of the day, somehow we managed to proceed,” Nausėda said.
He added that perhaps this time the European community will also be lucky. But he emphasized that no country should abuse the instrument of consensus, because it also complicates the decision-making process in the EU.
Hungary blocking Ukraine's accession to the EU
The Hungarian leadership has repeatedly stated that it does not support Ukraine's membership in the EU. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has stated that he will make every effort to prevent Ukraine's membership, as otherwise he will be “tormented by his conscience.”
Among other things, the Hungarian prime minister organized polls in the country to find out the opinion of Hungarians on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
Orbán is also against Ukraine's integration into NATO.
Read more about why Hungary is blocking negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU in RBC-Ukraine's article.
