Ukraine and Hungary on brink of EU compromise as final hurdle remains
It is not only Hungary that will be making demands regarding Ukraine's EU accession (Photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine and Hungary have agreed on 10 of Hungary's 11 demands regarding European integration. Hungary has agreed to open the first cluster of accession negotiations, despite one unresolved issue, reports Suspilne.
What was agreed
Last week, during technical consultations, Ukraine and Hungary agreed to 10 of Budapest's 11 demands. The only unresolved issue remains the representation of national minorities in the Verkhovna Rada. This matter has been set aside for now, but Hungary nevertheless agreed to open the first cluster of negotiations.
The parties have agreed to turn to the Council of Europe and the OSCE for clarifications on how this issue could be implemented in practice. It may arise again during negotiations within the first cluster, which touches on human rights.
Next in line – Bulgaria
According to Suspilne's sources, Bulgaria also plans to put forward demands regarding national minorities.
An EU diplomat said that the Bulgarians wanted to ensure the educational rights of their minority in Ukraine. He added that their people abroad usually spoke Russian, but they wanted to develop the Bulgarian language.
What's next
On Wednesday, EU ambassadors are expected to agree at a meeting on the negotiating position for the first cluster, i.e., the list of interim and final requirements for Ukraine. In some EU countries, such as Croatia, Romania, and Slovenia, the electoral system already provides for special quotas for minority representatives.
Earlier, Politico named the date of an important EU decision regarding Ukraine – the opening of the first cluster is planned for the intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg on June 15. The EU has also made further progress in the negotiations and is considering opening two clusters at once.
On June 5, Ukraine announced an agreement with Hungary to be implemented this year; the basis remains the Action Plan on National Minorities within the first negotiating cluster, Fundamentals, which was approved last year.
