Ukraine is counting on the formal opening of negotiation clusters within the framework of EU accession as early as June, said Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, commenting on the progress of negotiations with European partners and Hungary.
He announced this during an online briefing with journalists on May 22, a correspondent for Suspilny reports.
According to Szybiga, the Ukrainian side is negotiating with partners both in a bilateral format and within European consultation platforms. He noted that the first round of consultations between the negotiating teams of Ukraine and Hungary has already taken place, which lasted more than six hours, and the parties have recorded some progress.
The minister reported that preparations for the next rounds of negotiations are underway, and a meeting at the level of the leaders of Ukraine and Hungary will be agreed upon through diplomatic channels depending on the progress of the work of the negotiating groups.
Separately, Sybiga emphasized that Ukraine expects the formal opening of clusters in June and counts on the support of European partners in this process.
He also emphasized that, in the opinion of the Ukrainian side, political obstacles to advancing negotiations in the EU are gradually decreasing, which creates opportunities for activating the European integration track.
Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar discussed with EU representatives the prospects for opening negotiation clusters on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
At the same time, Bloomberg writes that Peter Magyar wants Ukraine to grant the Hungarian minority more rights in exchange for approving progress on EU accession. The publication notes, in particular, that his demands echo the 11-point plan previously submitted by Viktor Orban's government.