Cyprus, currently holding the EU presidency, has indicated that the initial phase of accession negotiations could commence on June 15th during the EU ministerial meeting scheduled in Luxembourg. While the broader EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova officially commenced in June 2024, the substantive discussions with Ukraine have faced significant stagnation due to opposition from Hungary. The momentum for these talks resumed following the electoral changes in Hungary, specifically after the departure of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Peter Magyar, who succeeded him, announced on Wednesday that Hungary and Ukraine have reached a mutual agreement. This agreement focuses on bolstering the rights of ethnic Hungarians residing in Ukraine, a commitment that constitutes the primary precondition for Budapest’s renewed support within the bloc. These developments are crucial as the EU seeks to advance its integration process with Ukraine.
The anticipated start of the first stage of these complex negotiations suggests a potential breakthrough in overcoming the diplomatic hurdles that have previously hampered progress. The agreement reached between Hungary and Ukraine is positioned as the critical factor enabling the continuation of the accession negotiations process, allowing the EU to move closer to formalizing a path forward for Ukraine within the Union.
Topics: #negotiations #ukraine #first
It will be interesting to see the agenda set for these initial negotiations.