Hungary has again blocked the approval of the screening results for clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine, which is necessary for their opening in the negotiations for the country's accession to the European Union.
The issue was discussed on September 1 at a meeting of the EU Council's working group on enlargement (COELA), the first after the summer break. According to European sources, Budapest's position on Ukraine has not changed.
At the same time, Hungary is willing to support the approval of the screening results for the third cluster for Moldova. This approach implies a separate advancement of the two countries in the negotiation process.
Most EU states oppose this option. In particular, it is not supported by Ireland, which currently holds the presidency of the EU Council.
The next meeting of the COELA working group is scheduled for September 2. The issues of advancing Ukraine and Moldova have not yet been included in the agenda.
This is not the first attempt to open clusters 2 and 3 for Ukraine. On July 22, Hungary also blocked the approval of the screening results, agreeing only to advance Moldova in the third cluster.
In July, the EU agreed to open the sixth negotiation cluster for Ukraine — "External Relations." Previously, Hungary had blocked the technical opening of clusters from the second to the sixth, but later lifted its objections regarding the sixth.
The negotiation process for Ukraine's accession to the EU includes 35 chapters, grouped into six thematic clusters. Opening a cluster allows for negotiations on the relevant areas to proceed. For the chapters to be closed, Ukraine must meet the conditions set by the European Union.
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