Fidesz: Hungary will not support Ukraine’s EU integration until…
Hungary will not support Ukraine’s European integration until Kyiv guarantees the rights of the Hungarian minority living there, the head of the Hungarian parliament’s committee for EU affairs said in Madrid on Monday.
“We unequivocally support Ukraine’s European integration, but Ukraine received a strict list of conditions when it was granted candidate status,” Judit Varga told MTI after the Conference of parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs (COSAC). The rights of Hungarians living in Ukraine must be restored to at least the level it was is 2015, she said.
“Developments lately, however, are pointing to [Hungarians in Ukraine] being completely stripped of their rights,” she said.
The European Commission will publish a report in October serving as a baseline for member states’ decision on the matter, she said. According to an opinion published by the Venice Commission, the status of Hungarian minorities in Ukraine “could be regulated with a simple amendment,” she said.
Regarding the bloc’s enlargement, Varga told the conference that Hungary was a long-standing champion of the EU’s integration of the Western Balkans. “It is very important that we offer a real outlook. We can only accept an enlargement procedure based on merit,” she said.
The integration process should respect national integrity and subsidiarity, she said, noting that Serbia and other countries in the region have been negotiating with the EU for over a decade. The focus in the east was on Ukraine and Moldova, she said, yet Georgia also deserved an outlook on joining the EU.
Varga also praised Spain’s programme for the EU presidency, calling it a “balanced programme up to handling current challenges facing the EU.” Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares highlighted demographic issues, a priority for Hungary too, she said.
Demographic challenges will be one of the focal points of the Hungarian presidency in the second half of 2024, and the government highlight competitiveness when approaching it, she said. The government aims to “make its family policy measures more popular” during the presidency, she added.
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3 Comments
Perhaps Ukrainians of Hungarian descent were collateral damage in the aftermath of Russia annexing Crimea from Ukraine and supported pro-Russian separatists fighting the Ukrainian military in the Donbas war from 2014 when certain laws were passed regarding minorities—some not so thought out.
The EU stipulations regarding minorities are clear, and I would be very surprised if Ukraine did not immediately subscribe to them, as this is a prerequisite for Membership. Other priorities at the moment, I am guessing.
Re the demographic challenges, this video simplifies but does a good job explaining a few key points. Fun bit! Hungary and our “family policy measures” feature at 5m35. Alongside Sweden’s policies, which as a parent would be my personal choice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gomrMfWrPz8&t=490s
Also interesting points regarding affordability of housing as a factor.
Of what benefit is hungary to the eu
Ukraine oppressed Hungarian minority. The Hungarian government often provided food, rebuilt destroyed church by Ukrainians. Now, Ukraine wants to flood the country with genetically, chemical soaked seed, chemicals that appear in grain and could adversely affect the health of people. This is not a definition of an ally.
Hungary decided to remain neutral in this melee. Ukraine has a hard time accepting this. Hungary decided, no Hungarian weapons will be used to kill the Hungarian minority. That is a most logical reason to stay out. Ukraine may say only Russian weapons kill, that is nonsense. When Ukrainians are trying to oust Russians, Ukrainian army fires upon home territory, therefore, Ukraine, although forced, is killing its citizens.