Hungary stalls expanding Ukraine accession talks until September
REUTERS/Yves Herman
The European Council’s Working Party on Enlargement and
Countries Negotiating Accession to the EU (COELA), failed July 22 to approve
the screening results for negotiation clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine and Moldova
after Hungary
refused to endorse them, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing EU sources.
It was the second attempt to win Budapest’s approval and the last before the EU’s summer recess. The next attempt is scheduled for Sept. 1.
“COELA twice failed to approve the screening results for clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine and Moldova because of Hungary’s refusal; the matter has been postponed until September,” a person familiar with the discussions told the outlet.
Cluster 2 (Internal Market) covers the free movement of goods, freedom to conduct business, competition policy, and financial services. Cluster 3 (Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth) includes digitalization and media, taxation, social policy, science, and education.
The official opening of the first negotiation cluster, “Foundations,” for Ukraine and Moldova took place June 15 in Luxembourg. On July 14 the EU officially opened the sixth cluster, which covers external relations.
COELA began reviewing the screening results for clusters 2
and 3 on July 17. Hungary agreed to opening cluster 3 for Moldova but refused
to start the process for Ukraine. Because Hungary’s position did not win the
support of a majority of EU member states, no decision was made and the
openings were blocked for both countries.
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