European Council President Charles Michel asked European leaders on Wednesday for a “necessary signal” and “strong political commitment” towards Ukraine, given the threat of a Hungarian veto on financial aid and formal accession negotiations.
“We must keep our promises to Ukraine and remain a reliable and strong partner. We must provide Ukraine with continued and sustainable political, financial and military support and, in particular, reach an agreement on the allocation of EUR 50 billion for the long term. stability and we must also agree to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, which will send a necessary signal and bring the country even closer to our European family,” said Charles Michel in the letter of invitation to the Heads of Government and State of the European Union ( EU) on the eve of a European Council, scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
In the letter, the President of the European Council also emphasizes the need to “take important decisions for other countries that aspire to become members, while working to make our Union fit for the future and ready to welcome new members .” “.
Speaking about creating a financial reserve to support Ukraine, a discussion that will be held as part of the review of the EU’s multi-annual budget, Charles Michel stressed that “new challenges bring new obligations.”
“As with any compromise solution, I appeal to your willingness to compromise in favor of unity. In fact, reaching a consensus will require a decisive joint effort and strong political commitment from all of you,” he added.
Charles Michel also says that “developments in the Middle East will also be a prominent item on the agenda,” in what will be a “crucial European Council.”
The threat of a Hungarian veto on financial aid and formal negotiations on Ukraine’s accession will, given the necessary unanimity, motivate a difficult European Council in Brussels at the end of the week, despite leaders wanting to close these files later this year.
This decisive meeting of EU Heads of State or Government will take place, at least between Thursday and Friday, and could be extended, after several months of protests by Budapest against the suspension of European funds due to violations of the rule of law, which gave rise to two deadlocks at recent European summits on conclusions on migration.
But in recent weeks, Hungary’s warnings have escalated in letters from Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to European Council President Charles Michel demanding a “strategic discussion” on Ukraine based on skepticism about Hungarian minorities on Ukrainian soil and the existing corruption in Ukraine. country, but above all an issue that has nothing to do with Kiev and which has precisely to do with the community funds that have been suspended from Budapest.
The European Council will next discuss the start of formal negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, after the European Commission recommended in mid-November that the Council move forward despite Kiev’s efforts to meet EU requirements democracy. , the rule of law, human rights and respect and the protection of minorities, although conditions are imposed such as the fight against corruption.
The community council also stressed that Ukraine, which was granted candidate country status in mid-2022, needs to make progress that will be assessed in a report to be published in March 2024.
Enlargement is the process by which states join the EU after meeting political and economic requirements.
This European Council will also discuss the revision of the EU’s long-term budget, which provides for a financial reserve to support the reconstruction and modernization of Ukraine of €50 billion (€33 billion in loans and €17 billion in grants).
Source: DN
