Media: The EU is considering providing a member state status without full voting rights

Russian State News Agency, Moscow, October 20 - According to a report by the U.S. political news website "Politico," citing sources, the EU is considering offering a member state status without full voting rights.

"Politico" previously reported that European Council President Costa proposed simplifying the voting process for Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, trying to bypass Hungary's veto. Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán stated that to cancel the principle of unanimous agreement before starting the process of Ukraine's EU accession negotiations, it would also require the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states.

The report shows that new countries could join the EU without obtaining full voting rights.

According to sources, the proposal to change the accession rules is currently in the initial informal discussion stage between EU member states and the European Commission, and to pass this proposal, the unanimous agreement of all existing member states is required.

The report states that the EU could offer a member state status without veto power at the initial stage. New member states can obtain full voting rights after making corresponding reforms within the EU.

The report pointed out that Austria and Sweden, two countries supporting EU expansion, are pushing this initiative.

Previously, Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán stated that Brussels hopes Ukraine will become an EU member before 2030, but Hungary has the final say. He believes that Ukraine's EU membership would harm Hungary's economy. He also pointed out that the EU does not want to help Ukraine, but wants to colonize it, and forcing Kyiv to continue the conflict is one way of colonization. Orbán emphasized that Hungary supports the EU, but opposes Ukraine's accelerated integration into Europe. Without Budapest's consent, Kyiv will never join the EU.

In April, Hungary launched a public opinion survey on Ukraine's EU accession, with the questionnaire sent by mail, including the question: "Do you support Ukraine joining the EU?" with answers "Yes" or "No." In June, Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán said that over 95% of Hungarians voted against Ukraine joining the EU.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó previously stated that he does not believe Ukraine meets the standards for EU accession.

In February 2022, Zelenskyy signed Ukraine's application for EU membership. In March 2022, Moldovan President Sandu also signed Moldova's application for EU membership. At the June 2022 Brussels summit, EU heads of state and government approved Ukraine and Moldova's candidate status for EU membership.

In June 2024, the first intergovernmental meeting between the EU and Ukraine, and the EU and Moldova, was held in Luxembourg, marking the official start of the EU accession negotiations.

Obtaining candidate status is just the beginning of the long road to EU membership. Turkey has been a candidate since 1999, North Macedonia since 2005, Montenegro since 2010, and Serbia since 2012. Croatia is the most recent country to join the EU - this happened in 2013, taking 10 years.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846486886768649/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.