EU considers qualified majority voting to bypass Hungary's Ukraine veto

European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier stated this, responding to journalists' questions about possible options for decision-making regarding the opening of negotiation clusters for Ukraine.

The EU is considering possibilities for opening negotiation clusters without requiring unanimity.

"When a country (Ukraine – ed.) is held back without objective reasons, despite meeting the criteria, the credibility of the entire enlargement process is threatened," Mercier stated.

He clarified that regarding Ukraine, EU member states (the EU Council – ed.) must make the decision on opening clusters.

"In this specific context, it is a matter for member states to make the decision. And on our side, we will facilitate all discussions," the spokesperson emphasized.

Regarding the qualified majority question, he reminded that "concerning EU accession, the Commission stated in its enlargement communication, which was published last year, that in accordance with European Council conclusions and the call for an accelerated accession process, the enlargement process itself may be reviewed."

"This is what we said in our communication. Thus, the possibility of giving the Council powers to make decisions by qualified majority can be explored for certain intermediate steps in the enlargement process," Guillaume Mercier reported.

"As for the closure of negotiation chapters, it must continue to be adopted unanimously by all member states, just as the final decision on accession itself must also be adopted unanimously," he emphasized.

Mercier added that the discussion is currently open, but the final decision still remains with EU member states.