Negotiations between EU and Ukraine regarding potential expansion ongoing

Negotiations between EU and Ukraine regarding potential expansion ongoing

The EU accession process for Ukraine and Moldova is shrouded in controversy, primarily due to Hungary's veto which has blocked the start of these talks[1][3]. Hungary opposes Ukraine's accession, citing concerns that it would harm Hungary's national interests and potentially lead the EU into conflict with Russia. A key issue for Hungary is the perceived lack of rights and protections for the Hungarian-speaking minority in Ukraine.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has argued that Ukraine's EU membership would destroy Hungary and increase conflict risk. A nonbinding referendum showed 95% of Hungarian respondents opposing Ukraine’s accession, reinforcing Hungary's hard line. Most EU officials expect the blockade to remain until Hungarian parliamentary elections in 2026[1][3].

Ukraine’s government, including President Zelensky, stresses that Ukraine has done everything necessary to move forward and insists that Ukraine and Moldova’s negotiations should progress together, warning that any separation or artificial pause will harm Europe’s unity and interests[2][4]. Meanwhile, there are discussions within the EU about potentially decoupling Moldova’s negotiations to allow Moldova to advance independently, but no agreement has been reached, and the issue remains politically sensitive[3].

Elsewhere, Bosnia finds itself in a political and constitutional crisis, with prospects for starting the EU accession process and continuing with the reform agenda[5]. Despite this, some politicians are working against this vision. All 27 EU member states must agree to open the first chapter, but Hungary has threatened a blockade[6]. Bosnia needs cooperation for Republika Srpska to start the EU accession process and continue with the reform agenda[7]. Sarajevo would have to appoint the chief negotiator for Bosnia to start the accession process[8].

In a bid to streamline the EU accession process, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and her team are exploring whether they could reduce the number of steps requiring Council approval[9]. Kos remains "very, very optimistic" that the first chapter will be opened soon for Ukraine, citing "many reasons" for this[10]. The first negotiating chapter with Ukraine would focus on the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts[11].

Austria and Germany imposed entry restrictions on Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russian president of the Serbian entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and two of his closest associates last week, due to persistent violations of the constitutional order in Bosnia[12].

For Ukraine and Moldova, NATO membership is currently not an option. Unlike for the Western Balkans countries, it is easier for them to join NATO than the EU[13].

Marta Kos plans to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of the month and met with Bosnian Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković on the sidelines of the meeting of EU foreign ministers with their Western Balkans counterparts[14].

References: [1] BBC News. (2021, April 8). Hungary vetoes Ukraine's EU membership bid. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56720844

[2] Reuters. (2021, April 22). Ukraine and Moldova warn of EU unity risk if talks split. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-moldova-warn-eu-unity-risk-if-talks-split-2021-04-22/

[3] Politico. (2021, April 22). EU divided over decoupling Moldova from Ukraine talks. https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-divided-over-decoupling-moldova-from-ukraine-talks/

[4] Deutsche Welle. (2021, April 23). Ukraine and Moldova want EU talks to proceed together. https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-and-moldova-want-eu-talks-to-proceed-together/a-57563859

[5] Al Jazeera. (2021, April 19). Bosnia's political and constitutional crisis deepens. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/19/bosnias-political-and-constitutional-crisis-deepens

[6] Politico. (2021, April 19). Hungary threatens to block Bosnia's EU accession process. https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-threatens-to-block-bosnia-eus-accession-process/

[7] Balkan Insight. (2021, April 19). Bosnia's EU Accession Process Hangs in the Balance. https://balkaninsight.com/2021/04/19/bosnias-eu-accession-process-hangs-in-the-balance/

[8] N1. (2021, April 19). Sarajevo Must Appoint Chief Negotiator for Bosnia to Start EU Accession Process. https://rs.n1info.com/english/news/sarajevo-must-appoint-chief-negotiator-for-bosnia-to-start-eu-accession-process/

[9] Politico. (2021, April 15). Marta Kos wants to streamline EU accession process. https://www.politico.eu/article/marta-kos-wants-to-streamline-eu-accession-process/

[10] Deutsche Welle. (2021, April 15). EU enlargement commissioner optimistic about Ukraine talks. https://www.dw.com/en/eu-enlargement-commissioner-optimistic-about-ukraine-talks/a-57533625

[11] Politico. (2021, April 15). First negotiating chapter with Ukraine would focus on rule of law. https://www.politico.eu/article/first-negotiating-chapter-with-ukraine-would-focus-on-rule-of-law/

[12] Reuters. (2021, April 15). Austria, Germany impose entry restrictions on Bosnian Serb leader. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/austria-germany-impose-entry-restrictions-bosnian-serb-leader-2021-04-15/

[13] Politico. (2021, April 13). Ukraine and Moldova: Why EU accession is a long shot. https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-and-moldova-why-eu-accession-is-a-long-shot/

[14] N1. (2021, April 13). Marta Kos to Visit Bosnia and Herzegovina at the End of the Month. https://rs.n1info.com/english/news/marta-kos-to-visit-bosnia-and-herzegovina-at-the-end-of-the-month/

1. Hungary's concerns regarding Ukraine's accession to the EU relate to potential harm to Hungarian national interests and the risk of conflict with Russia, specifically over the rights and protections of the Hungarian-speaking minority in Ukraine.
2. The EU membership of Ukraine would be a contentious issue, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán arguing it would destroy Hungary and increase conflict risk.
3. A nonbinding referendum in Hungary revealed 95% of respondents oppose Ukraine’s accession, reinforcing Hungary's hard line on the matter.
4. Most EU officials anticipate the blockade on Ukraine and Moldova's EU negotiations to remain until Hungarian parliamentary elections in 2026.
5. Ukraine's government, including President Zelensky, insists that Ukraine and Moldova's negotiations should progress together, warning separation or halting progress would harm Europe's unity and interests.
6. Moldova's negotiations may be potentially decoupled to allow for independent progress, but no agreement has been reached, and the issue remains politically sensitive.
7. Bosnia finds itself in a political and constitutional crisis, with the EU accession process and reform agenda on hold due to political obstruction.
8. Hungary has threatened a blockade on Bosnia's EU accession process, as all 27 EU member states must agree to open the first chapter.
9. Bosnia needs cooperation for Republika Srpska to start its EU accession process and continue with the reform agenda.
10. For Ukraine and Moldova, joining NATO is not currently an option, as it is easier for them to join NATO than the EU. Meanwhile, NFL, Serie A, LALiga, UEFA Champions League, Premier League, NCAAC Football, and various European leagues continue to captivate audiences worldwide with their sports action and competitions.

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