Hungary plans to veto Ukraine's EU accession talks

NOS reported the information.

It noted that the European Commission will soon present a report on reforms in Ukraine, Moldova and six Balkan countries that seek to become EU members. 

Hungary is threatening to veto Ukraine's EU accession talks because of "violations of the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.”

"New laws have been introduced that have worsened the lives of Hungarians in Ukraine," said Balázs Orban, Prime Minister Orban's right-hand man and political adviser.

He is referring to Ukraine's recently enacted language law, which mandates that minorities, not only Hungarians, must receive a minimum of 70% of their education in Ukrainian. He is concerned that due to this law, children raised in Hungarian-speaking households in Ukraine will experience educational setbacks.

"We cannot agree with this. Hungary's position is crystal clear: as long as this law exists, there can be no discussions with Ukrainians about their integration into the European Union," Balázs Orban added.

• The media reported that the European Commission has deemed that four out of the seven criteria associated with Ukraine's candidate status for European Union membership have been fully met.
• In October, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that he was ready to negotiate with Ukraine on lifting the veto on the EU's military aid of EUR 500 million.