Ukraine and Hungary have begun consultations, focusing on minority rights and EU accession negotiations - Sybiha
Kyiv • UNN
Ukraine and Hungary have started consultations regarding EU accession and minority rights. The first negotiation clusters are planned to be opened as early as May and June.
Ukraine and Hungary have begun consultations at the expert level, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported on Wednesday, UNN writes.
This morning, together with Anita Orbán and Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka, we began Ukrainian-Hungarian consultations at the expert level. In my opening speech, I focused on three key issues: bilateral relations, the rights of national minorities, and Ukraine's accession to the EU
The Minister noted that "we are united by a desire to solve problems and overcome challenges."
"First, Ukraine seeks to open a new, mutually beneficial chapter in our bilateral relations based on trust. We now have the necessary momentum to achieve this. We appreciate Hungary's clear condemnation of recent Russian strikes, particularly those carried out against Zakarpattia," he indicated.
The Foreign Minister emphasized: "Our peoples deserve to be good neighbors and work together for a common peaceful and European future."
"Secondly, Ukraine takes the rights of national minorities seriously and remains committed to ensuring them in accordance with European standards. We understand that this issue is of fundamental importance," the Minister pointed out.
"And thirdly, I proposed considering Ukraine's accession to the EU as a strategic interest for Hungary, an opportunity to strengthen Hungarian national unity, and the best way to guarantee the rights of the Hungarian minority," Sybiha reported. "I emphasized that it is time to lay a solid foundation for opening the first negotiation cluster on EU accession as early as this May, and five more in June."
The Minister noted that "together with my Hungarian colleague, we share a common goal: to seize this moment and achieve tangible results." "I also look forward to meeting my colleague in person tomorrow at the NATO ministerial meeting in Sweden," he added.
I hope that today's consultations will be constructive and demonstrate the readiness of Ukraine and Hungary to leave behind the challenges of the past and shape our common future