‘The accession talks must start as soon as possible, and I’m optimistic that the framework of negotiations may be approved by the EU member states in June,’ stated Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, during her visit to Kyiv on Thursday. Metsola added that with Hungary assuming the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe on 1 July, it is crucial that important issues are resolved during the Belgian presidency.
The President of the European Parliament also reassured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that, irrespective of the composition of the new Parliament, Ukraine can rely on the support of the EP. ‘The European Parliament will provide Ukraine with all the assistance possible so that it advances in fulfilling all the necessary steps on its path to the EU. And we will remain as open in this support as before,’ Metsola stressed.
Although Metsola is optimistic that negotiations could start before July, the chances are likely slim. With the European elections scheduled between 5 and 9 June, it is
unlikely that the Member States will make a decision on the framework for accession negotiations before then.
Ukraine’s accession to the European Union was agreed upon by EU leaders in Brussels last December. At the memorable summit, 26 member states voted in favour of the war-torn country’s integration, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left the chamber during the vote.
‘Hungary has not altered its stance and still views the initiation of negotiations as an incorrect decision. However, since 26 other countries insisted on the need to start negotiations and therefore chose to proceed, Hungary does not wish to be part of this decision and has thus distanced itself from it,’
stated the Hungarian PM at the time.
In light of these past events, it is not surprising that Metsola and other advocates for Ukraine’s EU accession are eager to reach a consensus on the negotiation process before the Hungarian presidency commences. Although Hungary’s presidency priorities include accelerating the enlargement process, their focus is more on the Western Balkans and Moldova rather than Ukraine.
‘Moldova’s preparations are progressing very well, and we are aiding this by training 50 prospective EU experts in Moldova in the coming months,’ Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó recently noted in a Facebook post. He added: ‘If the actual accession negotiations do not commence within the next month and a half, the intergovernmental conference to initiate these negotiations will be scheduled at the very start of the Hungarian presidency.’
Other priorities of the Hungarian presidency include promoting more robust action against illegal migration, enhancing the EU’s competitiveness, and focusing on agriculture and demography.
According to the most optimistic estimates, Ukraine’s accession to the EU could be achieved by 2030. However, the actual date is likely to be later. A resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine is a prerequisite, but numerous other conditions must also be met. These include
the restoration of the rights of national minorities,
an issue of particular interest to Hungary considering the ethnic Hungarian community of Transcarpathia. Although some progress has been made recently, there is little sign of a significant breakthrough.
Recently, President Zelenskyy and PM Orbán discussed these issues, among others, over the phone. Following the conversation, Zelenskyy expressed a desire to maintain good neighbourly relations with Hungary. According to the Hungarian Prime Minister’s press chief, the talks focused on promoting bilateral relations, likely including the rights of national minorities.
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