Hungary Blocks Joint Letter, Delaying Next EU Accession Clusters for Ukraine and Moldova

Under Viktor Orban, Hungary blocked Ukraine’s EU accession. After the 2024 elections, Prime Minister Peter Magyar allowed the first “Fundamentals” cluster to open on 15 June, but insisted the phrase “as soon as possible” be removed from the summit conclusions and announced a “historic agreement” on minority rights in Transcarpathia.

Hungary Blocks Key Step in Ukraine, Moldova EU BidHungary has slowed down the process of Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU - PoliticoThe new Hungarian government has signaled that it may lift its veto on EU accession from Ukraine and MoldovaHungary hinders the EU accession process of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova: a procedural stage was postponed by Budapest – CotidianulUnited24 MediaPolitico Europe

15 June 2024: EU members opened Cluster 1 for Ukraine and Moldova.

The new Hungarian government has signaled that it may lift its veto on EU accession from Ukraine and Moldova

23 June 2024: Hungary alone opposed the joint letter that would record the EU’s common position on opening the next clusters, delaying the plan to open all six by mid-July. EU diplomats will revisit it next week.

Hungary hinders the EU accession process of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova: a procedural stage was postponed by Budapest – Cotidianul

The accession framework includes six clusters covering 35 chapters; it requires unanimity of 27 EU members. The EU has frozen €16.4 billion of funds pending progress.

Hungary has slowed down the process of Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU - Politico

Hungary’s veto threatens the mid-July schedule, slowing Ukraine and Moldova’s accession pace and could send a wrong signal to Western-Balkan candidates Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

Hungary hinders the EU accession process of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova: a procedural stage was postponed by Budapest – Cotidianul

Magyar said ink on first cluster “is not even dry” and warned a fast rollout would undermine the message to Western Balkans. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said she hopes remaining five clusters open by July. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka reaffirmed Kyiv’s aim to finish all six clusters by mid-July. Hungary’s Brussels representation declined comment.

Hungary has slowed down the process of Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU - Politico

EU officials call the single-country veto a delay that jeopardises momentum since the June opening of Cluster 1 and see it as a lever to influence Western-Balkan accession.

United24 Media

Hungary has not issued an official explanation; the joint letter’s content and conditions for lifting the veto remain undisclosed.

United24 Media

• “There are six clusters in total, and we don’t think opening them all at once is a good idea — partly because the ink on the first one isn’t even dry yet, and partly because it would send the wrong message to the countries of the Western Balkans — Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia — [which] have spent years working toward EU membership.” — Peter Magyar, Prime Minister of Hungary

Politico Europe

• “There are six clusters in total and we do not think opening them simultaneously is a good idea — partly because the ink on the first one is not even dry yet, and partly because it would send the wrong message to the Western Balkan countries — Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia — [who] have been working for years to join the EU.” — Peter Magyar, Prime Minister of Hungary

Hungary hinders the EU accession process of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova: a procedural stage was postponed by Budapest – Cotidianul

• “historic agreement” — Peter Magyar, Prime Minister of Hungary

Hungary Blocks Key Step in Ukraine, Moldova EU Bid

• “the ink has not yet dried” — Peter Magyar, Prime Minister of Hungary

Hungary has slowed down the process of Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU - Politico

EU ambassadors will meet next week to decide on re-sending the joint letter; if approved, the remaining five clusters could open in July, preserving the accession timetable.

Hungary has slowed down the process of Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU - Politico