Sweden has called for all negotiation tracks to be opened to Ukraine
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmér Stenergård expressed support for the opening of the first negotiation cluster for Ukraine and called for the opening of all six clusters. According to her, this is in line with the European Commission’s recommendations and should accelerate Ukraine’s European integration process.
She made these remarks in Luxembourg ahead of the start of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
“First of all, I truly welcome the fact that the first cluster is now being opened. But in accordance with the Commission’s recommendation, all six clusters should be opened right now, because Ukraine deserves it,” Stenergard stated.
At the same time, she emphasized that the further process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU must remain merit-based.
“We must ensure that further work is accelerated. But this is always a merit-based process. That is, there should be no special treatment,” the minister said.
According to her, Ukraine’s accession to the European Union is in Europe’s own interest and is the best way to achieve peace.
Responding to a question about possible special status for Ukraine during membership negotiations, she stated that she supports all paths that could lead Ukraine to the EU, but full membership must remain the ultimate goal.
“For me, it is important that at the end of the tunnel there is genuine EU membership. And that this is not a substitute for something else,” added the Swedish Foreign Minister, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
As a reminder, the European Commission has not confirmed reports that Hungary has lifted its veto on €6.6 billion from the European Peace Facility, which is earmarked for military support to Ukraine. Officials in Brussels state that they currently have no confirmed information regarding the release of these funds.
Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, has made high-profile statements regarding the situation of the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine and the European Union’s future economic relations with the Russian Federation.
