Hungary has reportedly stalled opening of negotiating clusters for Ukraine yet again

Hungary has prevented a working group of the Council of the EU from approving the screening results for negotiating clusters 2-6 for Ukraine and Moldova, blocking further steps towards the opening of EU accession negotiations in these areas.

Source: European Pravda's correspondent in Brussels, citing her EU source who spoke anonymously about the course of events during a COELA meeting

Details: Hungary has not agreed to the rapid opening of the remaining negotiating clusters for Ukraine and Moldova.

Quote: "During a meeting of the COELA working group this morning, Hungary reiterated its reservations about the premature opening of the remaining negotiating clusters for Ukraine."

More details: The source clarified that this means the working group has still not approved the screening results for clusters 2-6 for Ukraine, meaning the next step – sending Ukraine a letter inviting it to submit its negotiating position on each cluster – cannot yet take place, delaying the start of discussions on their opening.

Similar procedures for Moldova have also been blocked.

It was reported earlier that during a COELA meeting in Brussels on 23 June, Hungary had refused to endorse the screening results, arguing that its experts require more time to assess them.

Background:

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he hopes that the remaining five clusters in Ukraine's EU accession negotiations will be opened in the coming weeks.
• However, Ukraine's plan to open all clusters in the EU accession negotiations by July 2026 may not materialise due to a lack of time for the necessary negotiations and coordination.

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