The prime minister considered this Thursday “a historic day” after the European Council decided to open negotiations on the integration of Ukraine and Moldova, arguing that the Hungarian impasse had been resolved “elegantly”.
“It is a historic day. Contrary to what many people thought, it was possible to establish a consensus to open negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova, and also strong momentum regarding the Western Balkans.”António Costa told journalists after the European Council meeting in Brussels managed to open formal negotiations with the two countries.
Consensus was only possible because the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, left the room at the moment the decision was made, breaking the impasse created by Hungary itself.
António Costa revealed that this option, which was provided for in the European Union (EU) Treaties, had been “duly agreed” with Orbán.
“Hungary did not want to block the decision, but it also did not want to associate itself with the decision. After the long discussion it was concluded that because it did not want to block the decision, but also did not want to associate, there was an elegant way to solve this, which was not present in the room at the time this point was discussed was voted.”said the outgoing Prime Minister.
António Costa revealed that it was German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who found the solution to solve the problem caused by Budapest: “Chancellor Scholz suggested at the time that Hungary should consider this hypothesis and Prime Minister Orbán concluded that it was a good solution to avoid blocking. There was no point in prolonging the discussion.”
“There have been several meetings in which the Prime Minister of Hungary emphasized the need to have a strategic discussion about the relationship with Ukraine. This strategic debate was held and I think it was recognised. As a result [Orbán] realized that we were in a position where there were 26 people who had a position. He had a special position”he explained.
Still, António Costa criticized his Hungarian counterpart’s position: “There are countries that understand that they have to replace the European Commission and make their own assessment, this is the case of Hungary, which understands that Ukraine has not met the requirements to become a member of the European Union. [à UE]”.
The European Council decided on Thursday to open formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union (EU), the institution’s president announced, delivering a “clear sign of hope” for these countries.
“The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova,” Charles Michel announced in a message on social network European summit in Brussels, a meeting that was characterized by Hungarian threats against veto decisions as they are now known.
For the President of the European Council, this is “a clear sign of hope for the citizens of these countries and for the European continent.”
Charles Michel’s spokesman later told the press in Brussels that “the European Council has taken a decision and no one has challenged it”, after Hungary threatened to veto the decision to open formal negotiations with Ukraine over related concerns about the corruption in the country.
Source: DN
