Hungary urges faster EU accession for Balkans and ties Ukraine aid to minority rights
Foreign Minister Anita Orbán told EU Commissioner Marta Kos that the EU must speed up Montenegro and Albania's accession while linking further support for Ukraine to protections for ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia.
During a meeting in Budapest, Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán briefed European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos on the upcoming EU enlargement timetable, highlighting that the Commission’s reform package is slated for release at the end of September, followed by a Council discussion in October and a December direction-setting by member states. Orbán criticized the prolonged wait for Western Balkan candidates, emphasizing that Montenegro and Albania have shown notable progress and should see their accession processes advanced.
She also linked Hungary’s support for opening new accession clusters for Ukraine to concrete steps by Kyiv to protect the ethnic Hungarian minority in the Transcarpathian region. The statements come as the EU prepares its annual Enlargement Package, setting the agenda for the next phase of expansion.
Why it matters
Hungary’s stance could shape EU enlargement timing and condition aid to Ukraine on minority rights.
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