Russians astonished by Orbán’s action at EU summit, Macron edgy

The Russians believe neither Ukraine nor Moldova met the strict requirements the European Union needs a member state to fulfil. Furthermore, they were astonished by Orbán’s action at the EU summit, saying no to Ukraine’s EU accession.

“Waiting for somebody to leave to decide in his absence. If that is true, it is a unique practice”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said about Orbán’s short departure from the EU summit this week. During his absence, the remaining leaders of the member states could decide about starting Ukraine’s and Moldova’s accession process.

It seems President Putin liked the gesture. President Marcon said they could not convince Orbán, so German chancellor Olaf Scholz proposed him to leave during the decision. Meanwhile, the French president said Orbán was disrespectful for rejecting the EU’s budget modification, portfolio.hu wrote.

PM’s policy director: Hungary achieved strategic goals, managed to promote national interests

Hungary has achieved its strategic goals at the European Union summit both in connection with Ukraine’s accession talks and financial support, and has also managed to protect its national interests, the prime minister’s policy director said in Brussels on Friday. Balazs Orban told the Hungarian press that Hungary had made it clear in connection with Ukraine’s EU accession that it did not agree with the decision and considered it a mistake.

“Our theoretical position remains that Ukraine is not prepared for EU accession and therefore the relevant talks are not worth starting,” he added.

The approval of a 50 billion euro financial package for Ukraine would have seriously and immediately harmed Hungary’s interests, he said.

“The EU wants to finance a failed strategy which makes no sense,” he added.

Commenting on the post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) interest cost increase, he said that as long as Hungary does not receive any money, it cannot approve any further decision.

Hungary maintains its position under which the decision must be postponed, probably to early next year, he said. Additionally, the European Council has set a task for the European Commission “to deal with the problems of Hungarians”, he added.

“It will show whether the funds due to be paid to Hungary arrive in order or Brussels continues its political blackmail,” he said.

“Additionally, it will be possible to assess if the EC is open to discussions on important issues for Hungary in connection with the amendment of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF),” Orban said. “If it is, then the talks can be continued but if it isn’t, then the budget will stay as it is,” he added.

Hungary does not see a need to amend the EU’s 2021-2027 budget, he said.

Read also:

• PM Orbán vetoed EU’s EUR 50 bn for Ukraine, said Hungarian’s money go to Kyiv
• Government rewrites rules in the hotel sector in Hungary – Read more HERE

UPDATED: Hungary’s green party supports Ukraine’s EU accession, would amend agricultural support system

LMP supports Ukraine’s European Union accession as a long-term strategic goal but it would amend the system of EU agricultural subsidies in order to preserve sustainability, a national board member of the opposition party said on Saturday.

Mária Szendefy told an online press conference that LMP also insisted on maintaining the EU’s GMO free status.

She said Ukraine’s EU accession in due time would be a welcome development for ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia because it would result in more transparent borders and direct links with Hungary.

In terms of geopolitical aspects and security policy, it would also be better for Hungary to have another neighbour that is an EU member, she added.

At the same time, she said Ukraine’s agriculture was ruled by mostly US large investors farming areas of several thousand hectares. Since EU agricultural policy supports farmers depending on the size of their agricultural land, with Ukraine’s accession support to all other countries would be much less than what Ukraine would be eligible for, she added.

As a result, new EU regulations are needed, giving priority to smaller farms, she said. Large farms should be allowed to succeed on fully market-based conditions, in certain cases with protective duties, she added.

Szendefy said it was a basic requirement that the EU must remain GMO-free and she condemned attempts to loosen the current strict regulations.