Antonio Costa called the “historic day” of the opening of negotiations on the integration of Ukraine and Moldova into the EU

The Prime Minister considered this Thursday to be a “historic day” after the European Council decided to start negotiations on the integration of Ukraine and Moldova, arguing that the Hungarian impasse had been resolved in an “elegant way”.

“This is a historic day. Contrary to what many thought, it was possible to reach a consensus to open negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova, as well as to give a strong impetus towards the Western Balkans,” he said, António Costa told reporters after the European Council. gathered in Brussels, managed to begin official negotiations with the two countries.

Consensus was only possible because Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán left the room during the decision, unblocking a deadlock created by Hungary itself.

António Costa said that this option, provided for in European Union (EU) treaties, “has been duly agreed upon” with Orbán.

“Hungary did not want to block the decision, but also did not want to join this decision. After discussion, which was long, it was concluded that, without wanting to block the decision, but also not wanting to join it, there was an elegant way to solve this problem that was not in the room when the vote on this issue was held,” said the outgoing resignation of the Prime Minister.

António Costa said that it was German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who found a solution to the problem caused by Budapest: “Chancellor Scholz at that time suggested that Hungary consider this hypothesis, and Prime Minister Orbán came to the conclusion that this was a good solution. In order not to block, there was no point in delaying the discussion.”

“There are several meetings at which the Hungarian Prime Minister insisted on the need for a strategic discussion of relations with Ukraine. This strategic debate has taken place and I think it has been recognized. As a result [Orbán] realized that we were in a position where 26 people had a position. He had a clear position,” he explained.

Despite this, António Costa criticized the position of his Hungarian counterpart: “There are countries that understand that they must replace the European Commission and make their own assessment. This is the case of Hungary, which understands that Ukraine has not met the requirements to be able to join [à UE]”.

The European Council decided this Thursday to begin formal negotiations on accession to the European Union (EU) with Ukraine and Moldova, the institute’s president said, speaking in a “clear sign of hope” for these countries.

“The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova,” Charles Michel announced in a post on the social network X (formerly Twitter) after hours of discussions between the heads of government and EU states who met this Thursday. Friday at the European summit in Brussels, a meeting marked by Hungarian threats to veto decisions like the one now known.

For the President of the European Council, this is “a clear sign of hope for the citizens of these countries and the entire European continent.”

Charles Michel’s spokesman later told the press in Brussels that “the European Council made a decision and no one challenged it” after Hungary threatened to veto the decision to open formal negotiations with Ukraine over concerns about corruption in the country.