Ukraine's European integration minister expects Hungary to lift veto and remaining EU accession negotiating clusters to open by year-end

Sergiy Sydorenko, Olha Kovalchuk, Anastasia Prots - 2 October, 08:25

Vsevolod Chentsov. Photo: Netherlands.mfa.gov.ua

Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, expects the remaining clusters in Ukraine's EU accession negotiations to be opened by the end of 2026.

Source: Chentsov in a comment to European Pravda

Details: Chentsov stressed that, according to the plan, Ukraine will open the remaining clusters (2-3 and 4-5) by the end of 2026.

This will become possible after Hungary lifts its veto on opening the clusters. Budapest has committed to taking this step after Ukraine adopts amendments to the Law "On Education" concerning education in national minority languages.

Commenting on the positive developments in relations with Hungary concerning this legislation, Chentsov said he expects the Hungarian side to take the relevant steps.

"We are fulfilling our commitments. This should also be reflected in progress in the accession negotiations. We expect the remaining clusters to be opened by the end of the year," he noted.

Background:

On 1 October, a bill on education in the languages of national minorities was registered in the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament). Its adoption is expected to help lift Hungary's veto and clear the way for two of the negotiating clusters.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed the hope that the adoption of the legislative changes would allow the opening of the next two clusters in Ukraine's EU accession negotiations.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon to help us keep reporting!