Hungary may veto Ukraine's EU membership

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has authorized negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the European Union (EU), but has stated he will veto the talks if necessary.

According to Russia Today, EU leaders agreed on December 14 to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, after Orban left the European Council summit, allowing the remaining 26 member states to unanimously give the green light to the decision. Orban was one of the strongest opponents of Kyiv's membership, arguing that rampant corruption in Ukraine, its dependence on foreign aid, and its involvement in an ongoing conflict would make it impossible for Ukraine to join the bloc.

During eight hours of debate, the leaders tried to convince Mr Orban, by pointing out that national parliaments in member states would have the final say on Ukraine's accession to the bloc, and that there would be around 75 instances where the Hungarian parliament would veto Ukraine's EU membership bid.

“They said that if something harms Hungary's interests during the negotiations, I can stop it,” Prime Minister Orban explained.

The decision to open accession talks with Ukraine came less than 18 months after Kyiv submitted its application. The speed of this process has been criticized by many member states, including Austria, where Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg warned last month that opening talks with Ukraine could alienate some Western Balkan countries that have waited up to 20 years for accession.

In a related development, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters that Ukraine was still “very far” from joining the bloc. “We are very far from being able to expand the EU to Ukraine and in any case, any enlargement, whatever it may be, will require a profound reform of EU rules,” Mr. Macron said.

KHANH MINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hungary-co-the-phu-quyet-tu-cach-thanh-vien-eu-cua-ukraine-post718631.html