Orban did not participate in the decisive vote on Thursday night, thus sending a positive signal to the two candidates for membership. It was discussed in advance with Orbán that he would leave the room for a while, EU circles said. According to media reports, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked him to leave the meeting. This meant that Orban could maintain his no to accession negotiations without blocking them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was delighted with the decision to hold accession talks. He described the EU's decision as a success for Ukraine and the whole of Europe. “A victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens”, wrote the head of state on the short messaging service X (Twitter). “History is made by those who never tire of fighting for freedom,” wrote Zelensky.
AP/NTB Scanpix/Cornelius Poppe President Zelensky is satisfied with the EU decision
Von der Leyen: “Strategic decision”
EU Council President Charles Michel described the decision to begin accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova as a “historic moment”. “This shows the credibility of Western Union, the strength of Western Union,” Michel said after the decision, which is supported by 26 of the 27 member states.
O #EUCO A decision was taken to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
I thank everyone who worked to make this happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate all Ukrainians on this day.
I also congratulate Moldova and personally @SanduMaiamd.…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2023
The European Commission recommended the start of accession negotiations in November, but the European Council still had to agree. At the time, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen explained that the Commission had done so despite the conditions not yet being met, saying that pending reforms had already been initiated.
Today von der Leyen described the start of talks with Ukraine and Moldova as a “strategic decision”: “This day will go down in the history of the Union. We are proud to keep our promises and we are happy for our partners.”
Orban: “Completely meaningless decision”
In a video on Facebook, Orbán said they worked together for eight hours. Hungary did not want to support this wrong decision and therefore abstained. “It is a completely senseless, irrational and wrong decision to start negotiations with Ukraine under these circumstances,” said the head of government.
Hungary will not change its position. However, the other 26 EU countries insisted that this decision be taken. Orban justified his position with reform demands that Ukraine had not yet met. Orbán categorically rejected allegations that he intended to use the blockade to free up EU funds for his country, which had been frozen due to constitutional deficits. “This is not a negotiation. This is not a deal,” he said. Hungary stands for principles.
EU accession negotiations with Ukraine decided
The EU summit in Brussels decided to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. EU Council President Charles Michel announced this on X (Twitter).
Recently, it was unclear whether there was an agreement with Orban that would exclude new blockades in view of Ukraine's accession process. Before convening the first round of negotiations, the negotiating framework with rules and principles for the talks must be mutually agreed. Hungary could theoretically threaten a blockade again.
Regardless, accession negotiations are expected to take many years. Theoretically, a would-be member can never become a member. Accession talks are particularly important for the EU. It ensures that a candidate country incorporates all EU legislation into national law. Ukraine's accession before the end of the war is also considered impossible – among other things because Kiev could then demand military assistance.
Moldova “opens a new chapter”
Moldova's President Maia Sandu welcomed the EU summit's green light for accession negotiations with her country. “The Republic of Moldova opens a new chapter today,” she said. There is still a lot of work ahead, but your country is “ready to face the challenge”.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke of “tremendous news” for both countries. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called the decision an “absolutely decisive message” that the EU was sending. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also welcomed the decision.
NEOS praises the decision, FPÖ criticizes it
From Austria, NEOS and FPÖ commented on the decision at the EU summit. For NEOS leader Helmut Brandstätter, the summit's decision means a “historic day for Europe, for cohesion, for peace and freedom. Europe cannot be divided, despite boastful autocrats like Orban, who only want to sow chaos, but rather come together in times of crisis.”
FPÖ leader Petra Steger said that with the decision the EU was “continuing the spiral of escalation” and that Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) was providing “support”. “This is a fall from grace of the first order. Nehammer knows the expectations of Austrians but is not in a position to implement them, preferring to follow the 'herd instinct' in the EU and obviously takes orders from elites and Eurocrats rather than representing the interests of his own population”, Steger said.