The EU is exploring methods to prevent Hungary from disrupting the initiation of EU accession discussions with Ukraine, Bloomberg reports. While unanimity is necessary to commence and conclude EU accession talks, it is not legally required to open or close individual chapters of the process.
During a closed-door discussion last week, some EU countries urged the European Commission to consider options for opening the first chapter of the negotiations, despite Budapest’s objections. According to sources, Budapest is attempting to hinder the process with Orban’s plan to hold “national consultations” on Ukraine’s EU membership – contrary to Hungary’s previous commitment to commencing negotiations.
Concurrently, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna discussed the next steps in the negotiation process regarding Ukraine’s EU accession with EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. Stefanishyna affirmed that Ukraine remains open and ready for dialogue with Hungary and expressed hope for a resumption of dialogue between the countries.