Prime Minister António Costa expresses his ‘optimism’ regarding the discussions on the table during the European Council meeting, but warned on Thursday upon arrival in Brussels that the European Union must take into account ‘the expectations that have been raised’.
“You will remember that from the beginning I have drawn attention to the fact that we should not create excessive expectations that would lead to frustration. Expectations have been created, therefore we cannot allow any frustration,” he stated.
At stake is the adoption by the 27th of the European Commission’s opinion recommending the green light to open accession negotiations, and the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework, which will provide funds worth 50 billion could be released “which will allow to give stability to Ukraine’s finances in the coming years”.
“I hope everything turns out well,” underlined the outgoing Prime Minister, convinced that “the fact that Germany was fortunately able to conclude an agreement yesterday to approve its own budget will at least allow Germany to have a more open attitude to the medium.” -term evaluation to be carried out in the Multiannual Financial Office”.
However, taking part in the summit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán lowered expectations and made it clear that he is maintaining his opposition after seeing PRR funds released for Hungary yesterday as “this is not a business issue”. [para] Make a deal.”
Budapest “does not link internal affairs to Ukraine or any other external issue,” Orbán emphasized, as he believed that the 50 billion euro budget should be found “outside the budget of the European Union.”
However, António Costa believes that Kiev has implemented reforms that address Budapest’s complaints, with “positive responses, namely on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine and the permission to teach Hungarian again in public schools in Ukraine.” Ukraine has adopted that in a good way.”
Costa reaffirmed his optimistic profile and assumed that the discussion will not be easy and that the summit will take a long time. “My optimism led me to take clothes for four days, so I hope to leave here with two positive decisions,” he said.
Source: DN
