BUDAPEST, 12 Dec. Hungary’s position on accession Ukraine in the EU is not a subject of bargaining; Budapest is not looking for tactical benefits for itself in this situation, but really believes that Ukraine and the EU are not prepared to begin negotiations on Kiev’s accession to the community, said the head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry, Peter Szijjártó.
«Will we conclude some kind of compromise in connection with the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU? Once again, I want to say that this is not a tactical question. Since this question is in itself, it is not connected with anything and will not be connected, not about «Needless to say. We do not take part in any bargaining, searching for compromises, buying and selling. The issue of Ukraine and its ties with the EU is of historical significance, stands on its own and does not depend on any other issue,» Szijjártó told the Hungarians journalists after a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council. The broadcast was carried out by M1 TV channel.
It is still clear that “neither Ukraine nor the EU are prepared for the start of these negotiations,” he noted.
Earlier on Tuesday, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer opposed the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union under current conditions. In particular, according to him, preference should not be given to Ukraine against the backdrop of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is also currently negotiating accession to the EU.
Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Budapest proposes not to put the issue of starting negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU on the agenda of the summit in December at all, since it is clear in advance that there will be no agreement among the member countries. He also expressed the opinion that Ukraine’s membership could be discussed in 5-10 years, subject to the conclusion of a strategic partnership agreement with Kiev.
The European Commission on November 8 recommended starting negotiations on accession to the EU with Ukraine and Moldova and conditioned the adoption of the negotiation framework on the fulfillment of several conditions by Kiev and Chisinau. The formal decision to begin the negotiation process will be discussed by heads of state and government at the EU summit in Brussels on December 14-15. The decision must be made unanimously by all current members of the European Union.