Hungary has blocked progress on one of the negotiating steps toward Ukraine and Moldova joining the European Union, Politico reports, citing two EU diplomats.
EU countries had previously unanimously approved the opening of the first formal negotiating cluster. On Tuesday, however, Hungary opposed sending a joint letter on behalf of all 27 EU states to the European Council and the European Commission. The document was intended to record the common position of the member states.
Because such decisions require unanimity, the letter was not adopted. It will be discussed again next week.
Hungary’s permanent representation in Brussels declined to comment on the situation.
Politico, citing diplomats, notes that the move is in line with Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s more cautious position on Ukraine’s EU membership.
His government had previously sought softer wording on the timing of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, including the removal of the words “as soon as possible” from documents, the outlet writes.
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