Ukraine's EU accession may be blocked by Hungary
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Hungary may veto future negotiations between Ukraine and the EU regarding accession. However, this would signify the irresponsibility of other European Union members, according to the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, quoted by The Guardian.
It is believed that after the European Commission recommended the EU Council to start accession negotiations with Ukraine, all attention is focused on the upcoming summit of EU leaders in December.
It is expected that Hungary may block the negotiations. Ukraine calls on the EU to discuss this issue. Stefanishyna made a corresponding statement on German Radio on International Relations.
"It’s about talking to each other, convincing each other and helping those who [are] still in doubt or who are trying to veto the future of Europe, speaking to them and taking the responsibility of this veto," she said.
Stefanishyna suggests that accession negotiations between Ukraine and the EU cannot be blocked by the decision of Hungary alone. In her opinion, this is the responsibility of the entire bloc.
"Because speaking of the veto of one country on 15 December, this will not be a veto of one country. This would be the irresponsibility of the others – those who are not building this consensus, who are not working on focusing on a bigger picture on the future of Europe," said the minister.
Green light for Ukraine
On November 8, the European Commission recommended the EU Council to start negotiations with Ukraine on accession. According to Ursula von der Leyen, Ukraine has already implemented 90% of the reforms expected by the EU. However, Kyiv must continue reforms.
Meanwhile, Hungary has said that it will oppose the EU starting accession negotiations with Ukraine.
In Ukraine and Brussels, it is believed that Hungary cannot keep blocking Ukraine's accession to the EU. Ukraine is already in negotiations with the Hungarian authorities to resolve the disputes.
