Hungary blocked EU aid to Ukraine

Hungary blocked EU aid to Ukraine

Subject :IR

Section: Groupings

Context: Hungary blocked EU aid to Ukraine

What is Hungary’s stance on aid to Ukraine:

• Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a right-wing leader and close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has expressed opposition to Ukraine’s bid for EU membership.
• Orban believes that Ukraine is plagued by corruption and is not prepared for EU accession.
• He suggests that Ukraine should first become a strategic partner of the EU before engaging in membership talks.
• Orban’s stance is evident in his opposition to a financial package for Ukraine, arguing that non-EU members should not receive significant funds when Hungary, as an EU member-state, has faced challenges in securing allocated funds.

What is the backdrop of the latest move:

• The European Union (EU) had previously frozen significant funds allocated for Hungary due to concerns about violations of EU norms on law, order, and judicial independence.
• Analysts speculate that Hungary, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, used its veto power on Ukraine’s funding and membership talks as leverage to pressure the EU to unfreeze the funds.

How will the EU now provide aid to Ukraine:

• If Viktor Orban remains unyielding, the European Union (EU) might consider circumventing the issue by establishing a trust comprising the other 26 member states.
• While this alternative could be a more cumbersome process, it might result in delays in delivering much-needed funds to Ukraine.

What is the requirement for joining the EU:

• Obligation:
  • According to Article 49 of the EU treaties, any European nation seeking to become an EU member must commit to upholding and promoting the EU’s fundamental values outlined in Article 2.
  • These values encompass principles such as freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law, among others.
• Consideration:
  • Following the submission of an application, EU member states assess the nation’s suitability for membership based on these principles.
• Specific criteria:
  • The Copenhagen European Council meeting in 1993 established more detailed conditions known as the Copenhagen Criteria.
  • These criteria outline the fundamental requirements that all candidate countries must meet.
  • For instance, they encompass having a well-functioning market economy, maintaining a stable democracy and rule of law, and adhering to all EU legislation, including that related to the Euro.

What is the Copenhagen Criteria

• The Copenhagen Criteria refers to the conditions that candidate countries must meet before they can be part of the European Union.
• The criteria had been established in 1993 by the Copenhagen European Council, and later strengthened in 1995 by the Madrid European Council.
• Copenhagen Criteria also refer to the rules defined by the European Council in 1993 in Denmark, Copenhagen, which determines whether a country is qualified to join the European Union.
• In order to become a member of the EU, the three criteria that must be achieved are:
  • Stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities.
  • The existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the union.
  • The ability to take on the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of political, economic & monetary union.

What is the Criteria for Membership

• The European community always monitors the progress of candidate states that have applied for the EU accession.
• Three documents are used to define the European Union membership criteria. These include:
  • Article 49 of the 1992 Maastricht Treaty
  • The 1993 declaration the European Council in Copenhagen (includes political, legislative, and economic policies)
  • Framework for negotiations with specific conditions for every candidate country.

What is Candidate country status

• Candidate country status is conferred by the European Council on the basis of an opinion from the European Commission, drawn up following an application for membership of the European Union (EU) by the country concerned.
• Candidate country status does not give an automatic a right to join the EU.on.

What is the process of joining the EU:

• The process for achieving European Union  membership involves three distinct stages, outlined as follows:
  • First stage: The country is granted the status of an official candidate. In this initial phase, the candidate nation responds to inquiries to demonstrate its alignment with the membership criteria.
  • Second stage: The formal negotiations for membership commence with the candidate. This phase encompasses the integration of EU law into national legislation and the fulfillment of a wide range of requirements, referred to as the accession criteria, which pertain to the legal, administrative, economic, and other aspects.
  • Third stage: Upon the successful completion of negotiations and the fulfillment of all accession criteria, the candidate becomes eligible for EU membership. The final decision regarding membership is subject to a unanimous vote by the existing EU member states, who must collectively endorse the new accession.