Prime Minister António Costa has already welcomed the agreement reached in the European Council, so that the European Commission can be given the green light to start formal negotiations for the accession of Ukraine.
“It is a historic day because, contrary to what many feared, it was possible to establish a consensus to start negotiations, both with Ukraine and with Moldova,” said the prime minister, underlining that the decision also represents “a strong boost regarding as regards the Western Balkans”.
Hungary did not participate in the vote and Prime Minister Viktor Orban left the room just as the president of the European Council handed the file to the leaders to vote on. António Costa considered that an “elegant solution” was found that allowed the European Council to avoid a deadlock.
Costa clarified that the solution “was duly agreed upon”, with Viktor Orban who, at the suggestion of the “chancellor [alemão]Scholz proposed at the time that Hungary consider this hypothesis [de sair] and Prime Minister Orban (…) concluded that it was a good solution not to block.”
“There was no point in prolonging the debate because all the arguments had been made, we had all already said everything that needed to be said and therefore either we remained in a stalemate and Hungary would block the decision, or there was an elegant way to unblock the situation and that was what was chosen.”
“Hungary didn’t want to block the decision, but it didn’t want to be associated with it. And after a long discussion, it was concluded that not wanting to block the decision, but also not wanting to be associated, “There was an elegant way to solve it, which was not being in the room at the time of the vote on this point,” he explained, highlighting that “Hungary did not ask for anything in return.”
Subsequently, European leaders began a debate on the review of the multiannual financial framework, from which they hope to obtain resources to support Ukraine.
“Let’s hope that now, after other points that still hinder the Council’s conclusion, it will not be necessary for anyone else to leave the room,” said António Costa, who highlights that this debate also offers “the perspective of approving the growth program.” for the Western Balkans, [que] will help to anticipate the economic effects of accession in all these countries.
Source: TSF
