Hungary undermines EU unity – Lithuanian President
Threatening to block further support for Ukraine in negotiations on its membership in the European Union, Hungary undermines the principle of EU unity.
Source: LRT with reference to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, reported by European Pravda
Quote: "Hungary is harming the principle of unity because if we do not get a positive answer, a positive conclusion, there will be more and more voices threatening and denying the principle of unity."
Details: Nausėda stressed that he believed Ukraine's rapprochement with the EU was beneficial for Hungary.
Nausėda also expressed hope that the opportunity to invite Ukraine and Moldova to start official negotiations on EU membership and to grant Georgia EU candidate status would not be missed.
"We will use all means to persuade Hungary to change its mind," he said.
Estonian President Alar Karis also stressed the importance of sending a signal to Russia that Europe is united and Ukraine belongs there.
Meanwhile, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs reiterated that the search for a compromise regarding Ukraine could "take longer than expected".
He also expressed hope that all necessary decisions would be made at the EU summit in Brussels and at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington next year.
Background:
- Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis previously criticised Hungary's position on blocking Ukraine's European integration and assistance.
- It was reported earlier that as of Sunday, Budapest had not changed its intentions to block all decisions on Ukraine to be considered at the EU leaders' summit.
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is known to oppose the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU and does not even want this issue to be discussed at the summit; he also does not want to support a multi-year financial support instrument for Ukraine worth €50 billion and the EU's military support programme for Ukraine.
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