Hungary may unblock two of Ukraine's negotiation clusters with the EU
Hungary may lift its veto on the opening of two new chapters in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations. According to the Financial Times, Budapest’s full support will depend on Kyiv’s adoption of a law on the rights of national minorities.
Hungary is expected to lift its veto this week at a technical stage of Ukraine’s EU accession process. Officials in Brussels hope this will allow for another significant step forward in Kyiv’s negotiations with the European Union by the end of the month.
According to two officials, Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has instructed Hungarian diplomats not to block the sending of letters to Ukraine and Moldova regarding the possible opening of the next two negotiation clusters.
These clusters cover the internal market and competitiveness policy. According to the Financial Times, this issue is to be discussed during working meetings this week.
Sources cited by the publication described this move as procedural, yet symbolic. It may indicate Budapest’s willingness to no longer block the progress of Ukraine’s and Moldova’s negotiations at this stage.
According to the Financial Times, Budapest’s final position will depend on whether the Verkhovna Rada adopts a bill on October 12 to expand educational opportunities for national minorities.
The rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine have long been one of the key issues for Budapest in its relations with Kyiv. That is why the Hungarian side is paying particular attention to legislative changes in this area.
According to the publication, the bill was drafted taking into account the proposals and comments of Hungarian officials. Its adoption could become a condition for Hungary’s full political support of Ukraine’s further progress in negotiations with the EU.
If the Verkhovna Rada supports the bill, the official political process of opening new clusters could begin even before the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, which is scheduled to take place in ten days.
“Ukraine’s path to accession is taking on clear contours, with due regard for process and realism,” noted an EU official familiar with the course of discussions with Budapest.
Source: Financial Times
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