President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on European Union leaders to find a solution to make decision-making faster, more flexible, and more effective, hinting at Hungary’s veto on the opening of negotiation clusters on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
The Ukrainian head of state said this in an address to the European Council on Thursday, March 20, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“It’s unfortunate to say this, but some pressure is also needed within Europe itself to ensure that anything promised – actually happens. And I’m talking about Ukraine’s EU accession talks and resolving some fundamental issues for European unity. It’s simply anti-European when one person blocks decisions that are important for the entire continent or that have already been agreed upon,” Zelensky said.
He noted that Ukraine had fulfilled all the requirements, but now there are serious difficulties with the opening of the first and other negotiation clusters on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
“European efforts that should be bringing more security and peace are also constantly being obstructed. And I believe this is wrong. Europe must have a way to prevent individual actors from blocking what’s necessary for all. If we say Europe should be stronger in global competition, we must also talk about making European decision-making faster, more flexible, more effective – whether in politics, defense, economics, industry, or any other area. Europe needs speed in making decisions and clear tools to protect itself from unnecessary blockages,” the President noted.
As reported, Hungary, exploiting the principle of unanimity in decision-making on EU enlargement, is blocking the process of opening clusters in Ukraine’s EU accession talks.
Source: EU should find mechanism of protect itself from blockages of consensus decisions - Zelensky
