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The European Parliament has called for the rapid opening of negotiation clusters with Ukraine and Moldova, urging the government of Hungary to refrain from further blocking the European Union’s enlargement process.
The appeal was included in a report on the European Union enlargement strategy adopted on March 11 in Strasbourg with 385 votes in favor, 147 against, and 98 abstentions, UATV English reports.
The document stresses the importance of opening negotiation clusters as soon as possible, warning that delays in the enlargement process create strategic security risks for Europe.
Lawmakers also highlighted Ukraine’s remarkable resilience and commitment to the European path despite the ongoing war with Russia. The report also praised Moldova’s progress toward EU membership, including the successful completion of the screening process despite ongoing hybrid threats.
At the same time, Members of the European Parliament expressed regret that the Council of the European Union has not yet reached agreement on using frozen Russian assets.
The report reiterates that EU enlargement remains a merit-based process, where progress depends on reforms in rule of law, democracy, and fundamental values.
MEPs also called for strengthening the EU’s decision-making capacity by introducing qualified majority voting in areas related to accession negotiations, including decisions to open and close negotiation clusters and chapters.
According to the report, Ukraine’s future — as well as that of Moldova and the Western Balkans — lies within the European Union, warning that stagnation in enlargement has created a vacuum that allows actors such as Russia and China to expand their influence.
The document describes enlargement as a strategic response to the new geopolitical reality and a crucial investment in the EU’s security and stability amid Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, border violations, and hybrid attacks.
Public support for enlargement also remains significant: according to Eurobarometer, 56% of EU citizens support further enlargement, with Ukraine being the most supported candidate country, provided it meets membership criteria.
Earlier, the Hungarian parliament adopted a resolution rejecting Ukraine’s potential membership in the EU.
