Scholz asked Orban to come to the door
EU used procedural trick for Ukraine decision
December 15, 2023, 12:47 a.m
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At the start of the EU summit, a dispute overshadowed the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine. 26 states agree, only Viktor Orban stands in the way. Then, according to reports, Chancellor Scholz made a face-saving proposal to the Hungarian head of government.
The EU appears to have resorted to a procedural trick to clear the way for the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine. As several sources familiar with the discussions report, the suggestion is said to have come from Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz: He suggested to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban early on Thursday evening that he leave the meeting to vote in order to obtain the required unanimous vote from the other heads of state and government to enable. The Hungarian was therefore able to stick to his no to the accession negotiations without blocking them.
The heads of state and government decided on Thursday at their summit in Brussels that, in addition to Ukraine, which is attacked by Russia, accession negotiations would begin with neighboring Moldova. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj spoke of a “victory for Ukraine” and “for all of Europe”. Scholz called the decision “a strong sign of support and a perspective for Ukraine.” Ukraine and Moldova belonged to “the European family.” Moldovan President Maia Sandu said her country felt “Europe’s warm embrace” today.
The Hungarian Prime Minister Orban sharply criticized the vote. In a video posted on Facebook, he spoke of a “completely senseless, irrational and wrong decision.” He abstained from voting. It is not known whether Orban was promised anything in return for his move. With regard to the procedural trick used, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden spoke of an “extraordinary” procedure that was justified because of its geostrategic importance, but should not become the rule.
Will Orban’s veto come later?
The accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova are to take place in a two-stage process. The negotiations will only officially begin when the two countries meet the conditions set by the EU Commission. In fact, this means that the decision on Thursday will be followed by another vote by the 27 EU governments. There had therefore already been speculation as to whether Orban could abstain from the vote at the EU summit as a compromise.
In EU accession negotiations, the unanimity principle applies to every opening and closing of negotiating chapters. In the end, all EU states have to agree unanimously to the admission of a country anyway – so Hungary could still veto Ukraine’s accession later.
EU plans internal reforms
The conclusions further state that Georgia will receive EU candidate status if it has fulfilled the conditions set by the EU Commission. EU accession talks should begin with Bosnia-Herzegovina once the country has taken the necessary reform steps. The commission should report by March 2024 at the latest on whether this was the case. As soon as North Macedonia has strengthened minority rights in its constitution, accession talks should begin with the Western Balkan country.
The EU itself would like to press ahead with its internal reforms in order to become more accepting. A timetable should be drawn up for this by summer 2024. Scholz advocates moving from unanimity to majority decisions in almost all areas.