European Commission consents EU membership discussions for Ukraine
Date
6/10/2024 8:21:19 AM
(MENAFN) In a significant development, the European Commission has announced that Ukraine has met the necessary criteria regarding corruption and Democratic reforms, paving the way for formal European Union membership talks. This decision was communicated to the 27 European Union member states on Friday, indicating that Ukraine is ready to take the next step towards joining the European Union. The move follows Ukraine's attainment of candidate status two years ago, a gesture of solidarity from the European Union amid Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia.
The European Commission's spokesperson emphasized that the decision to commence accession talks now rests with the member states. This development was anticipated earlier by the Financial Times, which cited three insider sources predicting the Commission's recommendation. However, the initiation of formal talks requires unanimous approval from all member states, and Hungary is expected to pose significant opposition.
Hungary's anticipated dissent stems from its concerns over the treatment of ethnic minorities in Ukraine, particularly the Hungarian minority. Budapest has accused the Ukrainian government of undermining Hungarian culture through legislation that promotes the Ukrainian language in various public spheres, including media and education. These measures, according to Hungary, marginalize Hungarian cultural practices. Additionally, a source from the Financial Times indicated that Hungary might also voice concerns about the rights and status of other minority groups within Ukraine.
The Ukrainian policies in question are primarily aimed at reducing the influence of the Russian language, historically spoken by a significant portion of Ukraine's population. Taras Kremin, Ukraine's state language protection commissioner, has asserted that the concept of being "Russian-speaking" is a construct of Russian ideology.
As Hungary is set to assume the rotating presidency of the European Union in July, its stance on this issue could significantly impact the progression of Ukraine's European Union membership talks. The situation highlights the complexities and geopolitical sensitivities involved in Ukraine's potential integration into the European Union, with minority rights and cultural policies emerging as critical points of contention.
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