Ukrainian top official discusses positive prospects with Hungarian MFA ahead of EU summit
Andriy Yermak, Head of the President's Office (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak held a phone conversation with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó. This took place ahead of the summit, during which EU leaders will discuss preliminary negotiations with Ukraine.
According to Yermak, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy tasked him with conducting a phone conversation with Szijjártó.
During the discussions, one of the topics was Ukraine's progress toward EU membership.
"In the coming days, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine is planning to adopt a number of important European integration legislations. We will fulfill our obligations in their entirety," emphasized Yermak.
In this context, the Head of the Presidential Office noted that Ukraine counts on a positive decision regarding the commencement of negotiations on EU accession. The matter is expected to be discussed at the summit of bloc country leaders on December 14-15.
The conversation participants also discussed the possibility of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. They agreed to work on scheduling the meeting.
It is worth noting that yesterday, Szijjártó mentioned that there were attempts to negotiate with him, Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, and Yermak. However, according to the Hungarian Foreign Minister, the Ukrainian side allegedly canceled the talks.
Hungary is against negotiations on Ukraine's EU accession
In early November, the European Commission recommended initiating negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
Following this, Szijjártó immediately stated that his country opposes the opening of negotiations.
At the same time, Orbán urged top EU officials not to raise the issue of Ukraine's accession to the bloc at the upcoming summit.
For more details on why Hungary is blocking the start of Ukraine's accession negotiations with the EU, read RBC-Ukraine's material.
