Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU ministers condemned an underemphasis on Ukraine in Hungary’s schedule for its presidency of the EU, at a gathering in Brussels.
Budapest is presently at the helm of the European Union’s rotating presidency, which witnesses the 27 member states take turns to chair meetings and set meeting agendas. While most EU countries back Ukraine’s defensive war against the Russian invasion of its territory, Hungary objects to sending material support.
In certain, Hungary is blocking amounts from an off-budget fund set up by EU countries for Ukraine’s defence, under a system called the European Peace Facility. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also attracted sharp criticism from EU colleagues in July, when he visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
What priorities did Hungary emphasize in its presidency?
At a meeting of the EU’s General Affairs Council in Brussels, Hungarian EU Affairs Minister János Bóka laid out Budapest’s presidency emphases emphasising matters such as economic competitiveness, defence, illegal migration, and EU enlargement. In a conversation that followed Bóka’s presentation, however, representatives from several EU countries sharply criticised the lack of emphasis on Ukraine.
How did EU ministers criticize Hungary’s presidency agenda?
“Ukraine is unacceptably sidelined in the agenda,” stated Dace Melbārde, Latvia’s parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs. “Support for Ukraine is of exceptional importance for our country and our region,” she said, during a roundtable meeting of EU ministers.
“It is one of the top preferences of the EU to support Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s aggression, and it is crucial that we stay united,” stated Pavlína Žáková, the Czech Republic’s deputy minister of European affairs. “However, it is only marginally represented in the presidency program.”
“I find it remarkable that this is missing in the presidency priorities for everyone in Europe,” stated Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosencrantz. “It is of existential significance that we continue to defend Ukraine politically, militarily and economically for as long as it takes.”
“Strong political, economic and military backing to Ukraine for as long as necessary is the EU’s most important focus,” expressed Minister for European Affairs, Joakim Strand.
Poland’s EU Affairs Minister, Adam Szłapka, repeated his counterparts’ concerns. “Our main priority is skipping in the priorities of the Hungarian presidency,” he opposed. “The main priority of the EU is support for Ukraine, taking into account the position on the ground, especially military contribution.”
