European Parliament calls for opening of accession talks with Ukraine, criticizes Orban's position

Members of the European Parliament called on EU leaders to take a decision at the summit on December 14-15 to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova and condemned Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's statements on the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession, the European institution said, UNN reports.

MEPs call on the European Council to decide at its meeting on December 14-15 to start negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova,

They indicated that, provided certain reform steps are taken, accession talks should also be started with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia should be granted candidate status.

"The EU should set clear deadlines for the candidate countries to complete accession negotiations by the end of this decade," MEPs emphasized.

However, according to them, "there should be no accelerated accession process". MEPs insist that the Copenhagen criteria must be fulfilled to ensure that candidate and potential candidate countries demonstrate a consistent and sustained commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect and protection of minorities, and economic reforms.

Because of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine, enlargement has become even more strategically important and is one of the most powerful geopolitical instruments at the EU's disposal, MEPs said, calling it a strategic investment in peace and security, as well as a driving force for democracy and European values across the continent.

MEPs called on the next College of European Commissioners to appoint a European Commissioner for Enlargement and to ensure a clear separation of bilateral issues from EU enlargement policy.

MEPs "strongly condemned the statements of the Hungarian Prime Minister regarding the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession and the change of the country's policy towards Kosovo". Orban's statements hinder the EU enlargement process, MEPs warn, reminding the EU Council of the potential negative consequences of Hungary assuming the Council presidency in July 2024.

The resolution also emphasizes the need for internal EU reforms in parallel with the enlargement process to enhance the EU's ability to effectively integrate new members, including through the introduction of qualified majority voting, which would also apply to foreign and security policy decisions, as well as in relevant areas prior to the accession process.

The resolution was adopted with 468 votes in favor, 99 against and 58 abstentions.

To recap

In mid-December, 27 EU leaders are to decide whether to accept the European Commission's recommendation to invite Ukraine to start membership negotiations once it fulfills the final conditions.

Any such decision would require the unanimity of the bloc's 27 members, with Hungary seen as a major potential obstacle. The Hungarian Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that Hungary will not support the proposal.