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Ukraine’s accession to EU may bring conflict to Europe — Hungarian minister

Hungary’s position on this is that before talks with Ukraine begin, strategic consultation on possible consequences of that decision should be held, Janos Boka stressed

VIENNA, November 14. /TASS/. Budapest calls for a thorough analysis of possible consequences of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union before the beginning of talks as this step may bring the armed conflict to Europe, Hungarian Minister for EU Affairs Janos Boka said on Tuesday.

"When talks begin with a state, which is at war with the neighboring nuclear power, we must ask ourselves about the aim of the European Union’s expansion, whether it is to expand the zone of peace or to import the military conflict to the EU. We want to know a clear position on its influence on the European Union, its policy and EU citizens. Hungary’s position on this is that before talks with Ukraine begin, strategic consultation [on this matter] should be held," he stressed.

On November 8, the European Union’s executive body, the European Commission, recommended that the EU Council start accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova and Ukraine, and grant candidate status to Georgia. EC President Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision while presenting the annual report on EU enlargement in Brussels. If the EU heads of state and government approve these recommendations at their meeting in mid-December, negotiations on Ukraine's accession can begin at the end of March 2024.

Hungary immediately said it did not support the EC's recommendations regarding negotiations with Ukraine. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto rejected von der Leyen's proposals the same day. The country’s government said it planned to hold nationwide consultations on Ukraine’s possible membership in the EU. They will also include the issue of military assistance to Ukraine, a stumbling block between Budapest and Brussels. Apart from that, Hungarians will express their views on illegal migration and a number of other domestic and international problems.

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