Ukraine’s EU bid: Poland pressures Hungary to stop blocking accession talks

Poland’s Minister for EU Affairs Adam Szłapka stated this, according to Ukrinform.

“During the Polish presidency, support for Ukraine continues, with further tranches of aid being delivered. We are also trying to make progress on enlargement issues. We are constantly trying to convince our partners—primarily our Hungarian partners—that the first negotiation cluster could be opened during the Polish presidency,” Szłapka said.

At the same time, he described the continuation of the EU’s sanctions policy against Russia as a “difficult task.” The minister emphasized that in January the European Union extended all 15 sanctions packages and adopted a new 16th package.

“This is a strong and important sanctions package that targets the Russian economy, especially in the area of aluminum (Russian aluminum imports to the EU – ed.). We also managed to extend the individual sanctions package, which includes over 2,000 individuals and 500 companies,” the official stressed.

• On March 20, it was revealed that the final document of the European Council summit on Ukraine was supported by all EU member states except Hungary.
• On March 23, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that Hungary would not consent to further progress in Ukraine’s EU accession talks until the rights of the Hungarian minority in Zakarpattia, which were restricted in 2015, are restored.
• It later became known that in mid-April, Hungary will begin voting on Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Along with the ballot, voters will receive a document outlining the “consequences” and “risks” of admitting Ukrainians.