Hungary blocks approval of screening results needed to open Clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine

Hungary is continuing to block Ukraine's progress in EU accession talks by refusing to approve the screening results for Clusters 2 and 3, which would enable Kyiv to move forward with opening them.

Source: European Pravda sources in the EU following a meeting of COELA, the Council of the EU's working party on enlargement

Details: Hungary does not currently support the opening of Clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine.

Quote from a European Pravda source: "Member states' positions have not changed; the screening results for Cluster 2, Internal Market, and Cluster 3, Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth, have not been approved."

Background:

• European Pravda previously reported that Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, presented the status of Ukraine's fulfilment of its obligations under the EU accession negotiation process at a COELA meeting on 22 September.
• COELA last attempted to vote on the screening results for Clusters 2 and 3 on 8 September, but again failed to reach an agreement due to Hungary's continued blocking of the decision.
• The process of approving the screening results for Clusters 2 and 3 began in July 2026. However, on 17 July, Hungary blocked the decision regarding Ukraine, agreeing to advance only Cluster 3 for Moldova. Nevertheless, the majority of EU member states, led by the Irish presidency, opposed an approach that would separate Ukraine and Moldova in the negotiation process.

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