Hungary has blocked, for the second time in less than a week, the opening of clusters 2 and 3 for the accession negotiations of Moldova and Ukraine to the European Union. An EU official, who wished to remain anonymous, stated for IPN that the Hungarian side refused to approve the screening results on the two clusters during the meeting of the EU Council Working Group for enlargement and countries in the process of accession negotiations (COELA).
The dignitary stated that the next attempt is scheduled for September 1, after the summer vacation of European institutions. Cluster 2 includes chapters related to the “Internal Market”, while Cluster 3 refers to “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth”, both being related to economic integration.
In context, the Bureau for European Integration stated to IPN that Moldova is technically prepared for the opening of all negotiation chapter groups with the European Union.
Until the resumption of discussions in September, Chisinau continues to implement the assumed reforms, to deliver results and to carry out the necessary technical preparations for the next stages of negotiations, the institution’s response further states.
The President of the Parliament, Igor Grosu, told journalists that he is not aware of such a decision also targeting Moldova, and as for Ukraine, according to him, such actions by the Budapest administration have already become traditional.
In the negotiation process with Moldova and Ukraine, the European Union has so far opened cluster 1, “Fundamental Values” and cluster 6 “External Relations”.