Diplomacy

Does the Hungarian presidency of the EU pose a threat to Ukraine?

Does the Hungarian presidency of the EU pose a threat to Ukraine?
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If EU countries approve the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession in June, then during Hungary's presidency of the EU, purely technical issues will be addressed in the EU Council.

This was stated by the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, during a telethon.

"If a decision is made in June, as I am saying (the official approval of the negotiation framework - Ed.), then practically, during the Hungarian presidency, it will be possible to concentrate on other issues," she said.

According to her, the start of official negotiations triggers dozens of technical procedures. This includes legislative screening and preparation for the opening of negotiation chapters. This takes a minimum of six months. Therefore, during Hungary's presidency, only the final report on enlargement will be due at the end of the year.

"And I think that we will focus precisely on pulling up other enlargement countries. At least that's the vision of the Hungarian side," Stefanishyna said.

Recall, Hungary took over the presidency of the EU Council from July 1 and will replace Belgium. The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban takes a pro-Russian position and has repeatedly blocked European initiatives regarding Ukraine.

Earlier, Member of the European Parliament Viola von Cramon-Taubadel said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union should start before the June elections to the European Parliament.

At the same time, the MEP noted that the future presidency of Hungary in the EU Council from July 1 "may not lean towards" starting negotiations.

"So we need to do it either before the European elections, which would be ideal, or before July 1," she said.

As Vice Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna stated, Ukraine has an agreement with the EU that negotiations on accession will begin in June of this year.

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