Hungary softens stance on Ukraine’s EU membership bid, media reports
Illustrative photo: Hungary has unblocked the sixth negotiating cluster (Getty Images)
A first significant breakthrough has been achieved in the negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU after a prolonged blockade by Budapest. The Hungarian authorities have agreed to launch the procedure for opening one of the negotiating clusters, according to RMF24.
Details of Hungary’s decision
According to the outlet, Budapest has agreed to send an official letter to Ukraine and Moldova, launching the procedure for opening the sixth negotiating cluster. This cluster covers the Common Foreign and Security Policy, trade policy, and relations with third countries.
This is the first of five negotiating areas that Hungary blocked at the end of June, refusing to send official letters to Kyiv and Chişinău to initiate the next stages.
What this means formally
Sending the letter is only the first step in a lengthy procedure and does not represent the official start of negotiations in this area.
The process will proceed as follows:
- Ukraine and Moldova will present their official positions
- The European Commission will prepare draft joint negotiating positions
- All EU member states must unanimously approve these drafts.
If all stages proceed without delays, the official opening of the sixth negotiating cluster is expected on 14 July during a meeting of EU ministers for European affairs.
Problems remain
Despite the partial compromise, Hungary is still refusing to initiate procedures for the remaining four blocked negotiating areas. As a result, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call to open all negotiation clusters in July will not be fulfilled.
At present, only the cluster on fundamental values (rule of law and basic human rights) remains formally open.
In addition, there is no overall consensus in Brussels on accelerating the process simultaneously. Most countries, including Poland, support a gradual and phased approach to the negotiations.
Ukraine’s EU accession talks
The Office of the President of Ukraine has provided a detailed explanation of whether Poland could stand in the way of Ukraine’s EU membership and under what conditions Warsaw would support Kyiv’s path to the bloc. Kyiv currently sees no significant grounds to believe that the Polish government could use its veto power to block Ukraine’s European integration.
Polish diplomats and government officials in Brussels fully understand the importance and benefits of opening new negotiation clusters.
In addition, the Ukrainian side has fulfilled all necessary conditions and requirements for these clusters to be successfully opened. During the integration process, partners should rely not on political emotions, but on the clear rules that apply within the European Union.
Earlier, the President of Finland gave a positive forecast regarding the timing and prospects of further EU enlargement, assessing the chances of Ukraine and Moldova.
