Media: Hungary blocks opening of first cluster of EU membership talks for Ukraine

Hungary has reportedly blocked the opening of the first cluster of negotiations regarding Ukraine's European Union membership, specifically the Fundamentals cluster, which covers issues related to the rule of law.

The Polish presidency in the EU presented a letter on February 14, detailing the conditions for opening the Fundamentals cluster, Caliber.Az reports via Polish media.

 The letter, which was intended to be sent to Ukraine, outlines the preparation and adoption of two key roadmaps. One roadmap concerns a reform plan for the rule of law, while the other focuses on public administration reform.

The letter had broad support from most EU member states, but it required unanimity for approval, and only one delegation opposed it—Hungary. The Hungarian delegation demanded that Ukraine also present a plan for the protection of national minorities. This objection could potentially delay the opening of the first cluster of talks scheduled for April, as two additional procedural decisions are needed by then, each of which could also be blocked.

At the end of January, it was reported that EU leadership had hoped to reach an agreement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to prevent him from obstructing the start of formal negotiations for Ukraine's EU membership. However, tensions between Hungary and Ukraine have escalated in recent weeks.

In early February, Máté Kocsis, leader of Hungary’s ruling party Fidesz, claimed that Hungarian intelligence services had uncovered a smear campaign against Orbán allegedly orchestrated by Ukraine. This prompted Hungary’s Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar to travel to Kyiv to demand an explanation from the Ukrainian authorities regarding the alleged smear campaign.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine vehemently rejected the accusations, categorically denying any involvement in such a campaign against Hungary.

By Vafa Guliyeva