Hungary again blocks opening of EU clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine
At the first post-summer meeting, Budapest said it will not advance clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine until Kyiv acts on a bilateral agreement on Hungary’s minority.
Hungary again refused to approve the opening of clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine at the first meeting after the summer break of the Working Party of the Council of the European Union on Enlargement and Accession Negotiations.
A source present at the meeting summed up the outcome in a single sentence: "It remains unchanged."
Delegates said Budapest agreed only to endorse the screening results for cluster 3 for Moldova — a position it already held at the July session before the summer recess. Most EU member states, led by Ireland which currently holds the Council presidency, oppose separating Ukraine and Moldova on their path toward EU accession.
Budapest conditions progress on a bilateral minority agreement
Diplomatic sources inside the Council told attendees that the Hungarian representative made clear Budapest would only move forward if Ukraine takes concrete steps to implement the bilateral agreement on protection of the rights of the Hungarian minority. Until those steps are taken, the Hungarian side said there will be no progress on opening the clusters for Ukraine.
The development leaves the Working Party without the necessary consensus to advance the formal opening of clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine. EU capitals will now weigh whether to pursue alternative diplomatic steps to break the impasse before the next scheduled meetings.
Photo: press material from the event
