Commission begins process for Ukraine, Moldova to join EU
The European Commission has begun the process of defining the framework for negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on their accession to the European Union.
The announcement was made by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
The decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova was taken after Hungary abstained from voting on the issue at the December 14-15 European Council summit.
A resolution by several groups in the European Parliament could see Hungary stripped of its voting rights in the Council.
"In preparation for the accession talks, we are starting the screening process and now we are drafting the negotiation framework," von der Leyen said. "In the meantime, we will also start working on our own reforms to prepare for a Union with over thirty member states. At the last European Council, we also agreed to launch accession negotiations with Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina, when the necessary criteria are met. The last European Council showed the political will to be with Ukraine for as long as it takes."
The decision to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova was taken after Hungary abstained from voting on the issue. In the run-up to the EU summit, on December 13, the Commission unblocked funds worth €10.2 billion for Hungary, and on December 14, Orbán blocked a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine.
These actions have sparked outrage among MEPs. The European Socialists and Democrats, together with the groups of the European Free Alliance, Renew Europe and The Left, have prepared a resolution calling on the European Council to begin the process of withdrawing Hungary's voting rights. The Parliament also wants to send a warning to the Commission before the EU summit on February 2 and prevent the executive from unblocking additional funds to Hungary in exchange for Orbán's acceptance of financial aid to Ukraine.
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Translation by Iurie Tataru
