Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban requests that the leaders of the European Union do not discuss the issue of starting negotiations on Ukraine's accession at the summit of the European Council, which is scheduled for December 14-15. Orban's opposition threatens not only the Ukraine issue but the entire enlargement package, including the granting of candidate status to Georgia.
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According to Reuters, in the letter sent to the President of the European Council Charles Michel on Monday, Orban also notes that the summit should not decide on the budget plan, which provides economic support for Ukraine of 50 billion dollars.
“I respectfully urge you not to convene the European Council to resolve these issues in December, as the apparent lack of consensus will inevitably lead to failure. The European Council must avoid this counterproductive scenario in the name of our most important asset, unity,” Viktor Orban's letter reads.
At the summit of the European Council, the issue of starting negotiations on joining the European Union for Ukraine and Moldova, and granting candidate status to Georgia, should be decided.
On November 8, the European Commission recommended that Georgia, subject to the implementation of some reforms, be granted candidate status and begin negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova. A consensus of EU leaders is needed to reach a final decision.
Viktor Orbán believes that “the proposal of the European Commission regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union is unsubstantiated and poorly prepared” and should not be included in the agenda of the summit.
The Prime Minister of Hungary does support granting Georgia the status of an EU candidate country, which he confirmed during his visit to Georgia in October.
EU funds have frozen 22 billion euros bound for Hungary due to human rights violations and rule of law problems in the country. Experts believe that one of Orban's goals is to restore suspended funding.
