Quick start of negotiations with Kyiv will prevent EU’s enlargment fatigue

Olha Stefanishyna. Stock photo: Getty Images

Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, during her visit to Vienna on 23 November, has advocated for the early opening of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Die Presse

Details: The Ukrainian official thinks that there exists a “window of opportunity” for a quick start of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations by the end of the year, and Kyiv hopes for a “clear signal” from Brussels.

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Speaking about the advantages of such a decision, she stressed that it would “prevent EU’s enlargement fatigue”. Moreover, Ukraine is also a large European market that the EU will benefit from.

Stefanishyna added that Ukraine wants to prevent Hungary’s veto through a “dialogue” with Budapest, specifically for solving the issue of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.

“But all the debates about the future of Europe cannot revolve around the threats by one government head,” she noted.

Stefanishyna recalled that Ukraine has been trying to build closer relations with Europe for many years: “We have been standing on the threshold of the accession negotiations for a decade. Ukrainians have patience”.

Background:

Recently, there have been reports that the EU may not support the start of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations during the summit in December. The possibility of postponing this decision until March due to a lack of unanimity in the EU is allegedly being considered. Hungary is publicly promising to block the positive decision for Kyiv.

Read also: What Should Ukraine Do to Overcome Orbán’s Veto and Start EU Accession Negotiations

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