BUDAPEST, March 10. /TASS/. Budapest will decide its position on Ukraine's accession to the European Union based on a referendum involving all Hungarians, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Peter Szijjarto stated.
"The push to accelerate Ukraine's entry into the European Union presents a significant threat to the entire EU, including Hungary. This is why we find it appropriate for the Hungarian people to voice their opinion on this matter. Negotiations on technical aspects with Ukraine could begin now, but before the European Union proceeds with this, it would be wise for the Hungarian people to share their views. Based on this feedback, the Hungarian government will form its stance," Szijjarto said at a press conference following a meeting with the energy ministers of Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, and Romania.
On March 6, after an EU summit in Brussels, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that Hungary would hold a referendum on Ukraine's EU membership. He stated it would be carried out "simply and swiftly." The questionnaires will be mailed to all citizens, asking whether they support Ukraine's EU membership.
Hungary has consistently warned that Ukraine's immediate entry into the EU would cause severe harm to the European economy. Furthermore, Budapest believes Ukraine has not fully restored the rights of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia and continues actions that threaten the energy security of Central Europe. These concerns were raised by Budapest during discussions regarding Kiev's integration into European structures. However, Orban has indicated that he would consider Ukraine's future EU membership if it fulfills all the necessary criteria.