In a development that literally surprised everyone, the green light was given to start Ukraine’s accession negotiations in the afternoon of the first day of the EU Summit. As a result of days of feverish negotiations, Viktor Orban’s veto in Hungary was overcome. Michel said it was “a clear sign of hope for their people and for our continent.” Even the most optimistic person could never have imagined that once the green light was given, it would come so quickly.
While it was feared that the discussions would continue at least until tomorrow, it was evaluated that the possibility of Budapest lifting its veto was very low. Instead, as has often been the case in the past, the Hungarian leader has proven to be a capable (and experienced) negotiator, despite incendiary statements made to the press. The formula found to pass the green light belonged to the decision officially approved by the leaders; He himself did not vote in favor but abstained, not being present in parliament at the time of the green light. In the video he published on social media, Orban said, “Ukraine’s accession to the EU is a very bad decision” and giving the green light to start negotiations is a “meaningless, wrong and illogical” choice that Hungary “does not want to share”.
starting accession negotiations with #Ukraine This is a bad decision. Hungary did not participate in the decision. pic.twitter.com/omYLSxefkI
— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) December 14, 2023
But his absence is one of those technicalities that means little or nothing outside of the ‘European bubble’, and serves to tell the public that Orban is abstaining and trying to block everything. If he had stayed in the study, “bad judgment” would have stopped him. As a result, Kiev got what it wanted; although it is not yet clear what the $50 billion financing will be. And at the moment it is not even clear what Hungary has achieved. Because it is certain that Orban would never have lifted his veto if he had been left empty-handed in his demands. Yesterday, the European Commission released $10.2 billion in cohesion funds for Budapest, which were frozen by the EU under various procedures following accusations of violations of the rule of law in the country. For the same reason, another 21 billion euros remain in Brussels’ coffers, and Orban aims to release them too.
While Moldova, along with Ukraine, was given the green light to start negotiations, Georgia gained candidate status. While Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession negotiations, which will receive full approval “after the necessary compliance with the accession criteria”, are said ‘no’, the leaders invite the Commission to evaluate by March. In reality, Ukraine will have to show that it has completed all the necessary reforms by March, and only then will the so-called negotiation framework, the first concrete stages of the process, be approved.
For Volodymyr Zelensky, this is absolutely extraordinary news and will be greatly welcomed in Ukraine. Ukrainians see the EU (and NATO) umbrella as a way to protect themselves from Russia’s future goals. Zelensky wrote to X: “I thank everyone who worked on this decision, everyone who contributed. I congratulate every Ukrainian man and woman.” But the road to the European Union is still long and bumpy.
#EUCO The decision to start EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova was accepted.
I would like to thank everyone who contributed and helped make this happen. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day.
I also personally congratulate Moldova. @SanduMaiamd.…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2023
Technically, to start in earnest, the enlargement process must pass three acts of the European Council, all of which must be given the unanimous green light: There is the decision to start negotiations (taken today), followed by the corresponding decision. Approving the negotiation framework and finally deciding to convene the intergovernmental conference, which is the body where the negotiations will be carried out physically. The negotiations concern reforms, the economy, the rule of law, the fight against corruption and a number of chapters that must show that Ukraine complies with European standards. There are countries that have remained in this uncertainty for years, including Turkey, which received permission to start negotiations in 2005. In short, the journey will still be long and bumpy.
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Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
