EU may let Ukraine join market before membership

In a bold move, the European Commission has proposed the complete integration of Ukraine's economy into the European market, even before the country officially joins the EU. 

The proposal, which would allow Ukraine to fully participate in the EU's common market, has raised eyebrows across Europe, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó was quick to react to the announcement, describing the suggestion as "shocking." Speaking to Hungarian journalists after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Szijjártó emphasised the surprising nature of the Commission's recommendation. "This proposal to fully integrate Ukraine's economy into the EU market, even before its official membership, is truly shocking," Szijjártó said.

His remarks underscored the unexpected nature of the plan, which has yet to be discussed in full by EU member states.

Szijjártó stated that the EU aims to begin full-scale accession negotiations with Ukraine as early as this year.

Speaking after an EU foreign ministers' meeting, Szijjártó emphasised that Hungary will not support any decision regarding Ukraine’s membership in the bloc without first considering the will of its own citizens. 

To that end, he announced that a nationwide public consultation began in Hungary on April 14, asking citizens to express their views on Ukraine’s potential EU accession.

Szijjártó also voiced Budapest’s strong opposition to the EU’s military-related initiatives involving Ukraine. He criticized proposals to allocate 40 billion euros ($45 billion) for supplying arms to Kyiv and to send so-called “military advisors” to the country.

By Naila Huseynova