Seen as an obstacle in the process of admitting Ukraine, Hungary is not afraid to accept holding 'the future of EU enlargement'

The European Commission (EC) is ready to open negotiating groups with Ukraine on Kiev's accession, however, the process, which requires unanimity from all 27 EU member states, has been blocked by Hungary.

Ukraine's process of joining the EU has encountered many obstacles from within the bloc, especially opposition from Hungary. (Source: Getty Images)

The Pravda newspaper reported that the above information was given by Polish Minister of European Affairs Adam Szlepka on March 18. Specifically, he said that Warsaw, as President of the EU Council in the first half of 2025, has identified one of the main priorities during this term as promoting the process of expanding the alliance, including the admission of Ukraine.

However, the EC confirmed that the EU is currently unable to open the first negotiating group on Ukraine's accession due to Hungary's obstruction.

According to Minister Szlapka, the EC is also “very determined” to proceed with the screening process of Ukraine’s legislation. He also expressed hope that the opening of negotiating groups with Ukraine would be a process “based on achievements and arguments, not on political issues”.

Speaking at a press conference the same day, EC spokesman Guillaume Marcier affirmed that EU enlargement remains a priority for the commission and that for Ukraine, the EC has opened the accession process since June 2024. So far, Kiev has made steady progress towards EU membership.

If Ukraine meets all the necessary requirements, the EC hopes that the first round of negotiations, dubbed “basic,” could be opened as early as 2025, according to Mr. Mercier. However, the obstacle to this prospect is the need for consensus from all 27 EU member states, including Hungary. In mid-February, Budapest blocked the opening of this first round of negotiations, and at the same time proposed to Kiev to expand the list of demands.

For its part, Hungary announced that it would conduct a public consultation with its citizens on Ukraine's accession to the EU before the start of the summer, an initiative spearheaded by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

The information was announced by Hungarian Minister of EU Affairs Janos Boka before the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels, Belgium, on March 18.

According to Minister Boka, the future of the EU enlargement process with Ukraine “is now in the hands of Hungarian citizens and they have the opportunity to express their position in this consultation” initiated by the government in Budapest.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bi-coi-la-tro-ngai-trong-qua-trinh-ket-nap-ukraine-hungary-chang-ngai-nhan-viec-nam-giu-tuong-lai-cua-qua-trinh-mo-rong-eu-308097.html