According to three diplomats, the opening of the first negotiation “cluster” – an official step towards membership – is scheduled for the intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg on June 15.
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Budapest, led by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has categorically opposed Ukraine’s accession to the EU, but, according to diplomats, after the meeting of Ukrainian and Hungarian experts on Monday, dedicated to the rights of Hungarian minorities living in Ukraine, the new country’s leadership unofficially hinted at the possibility of lifting its veto.
A Hungarian official said that no decision has yet been made regarding the opening of Ukraine’s negotiation clusters.
“Negotiations are ongoing. No agreement has been reached yet,” he said.
During Monday’s meeting, the Ukrainian side provided assurances on how most of the concerns outlined in the 11-point plan, initially prepared at Orban’s initiative, could be resolved, said one of the diplomats.
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Not all of Hungary’s demands can be implemented immediately, but the diplomat added that Budapest’s approval was not linked to the adoption of new legislation in Ukraine.
The diplomat said that EU ambassadors will finalize their position on the opening of the first cluster for Ukraine and Moldova by the end of this week, when Ukraine will submit its domestic reform plans and proposals to address minority issues. Then, EU countries will confirm the opening of this cluster for Ukraine and Moldova at the intergovernmental conference on June 15.
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