Ukraine to comply with 11 demands from Hungary on national minorities for EU accession
Photo: Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine is ready to fully comply with 11 demands from Hungary regarding the protection of the rights of national minorities, which are necessary for accession to the European Union, according to Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna.
Stefanishyna emphasized that Ukraine had repeatedly affirmed its commitment to maintaining good relations with its neighbors, particularly concerning the protection of the rights of national minorities.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, Ukraine intends to fully implement the 11 issues, raised by Hungary, aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of national minorities, and to continue bilateral consultations with Hungary in this direction.
She also stated that Ukraine was prepared to implement further steps regarding the protection of the rights of national minorities, agreed within the dialogue and based on relevant agreements with Hungary.
Stefanishyna added that the Ukrainian party expected a similar contribution towards further mutual understanding, trust, and respect from its neighboring partners.
Ukraine's accession to the EU and Hungary's position
In December of last year, Ukraine got the green light to start accession negotiations with the EU.
However, Hungary has blocked this decision several times due to Ukraine's policy towards national minorities.
Today, on June 25, negotiations on Ukraine's EU accession officially started at the First Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Luxembourg.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the accession negotiations with Ukraine in Luxembourg. However, he stated that Budapest would not block the process.
