Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze urged the Hungarian presidency in the EU to refrain from actions that undermine the unity of Ukraine, the EU and the allies

29 July 2024, 09:44

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze took part in the meeting of the Chairs of the Committees for Union Affairs of the EU member states and Committees on the European integration of partner and candidate countries for EU accession (COSAC). The conference took place in Hungary. This country took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for half a year at the beginning of July, and already in less than a month, it received a wave of criticism due to the “peace-making” initiatives of the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán. The Chairs of the Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of seven countries — Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany and Luxembourg — addressed a Hungarian colleague with a letter in which they expressed disapproval of the actions under Hungary's presidency in the EU Council.

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the EU, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, in her speech at the meeting of the Chairs of the COSAC Committees, noted that Ukraine, like the European community in general, appreciates the fact that Hungary considers it important to strengthen European security. “But let me remind you that European security will not be protected without the support of Ukraine and without stopping Putin. Russia must be kicked off the independent state,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She emphasised that peace on Ukrainian land must be fair, stable and long-lasting. “Therefore, any peace initiatives should be based on several principles. The first is that there is nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. And this is what the Hungarian presidency has violated so far. Peace proposals must be based on international law. Otherwise, they will mean surrender. And then Russia's attack on any EU country will become inevitable,” said the Chair of the Committee.

She expressed hope that the Hungarian presidency will refrain from any actions undermining the unity of Ukraine, the EU and international partners. “We also hope that Hungary will change its position on supporting Ukraine and unblock the provision of aid from the EU within the framework of the European Peace Fund. This is needed not only for the sake of Ukraine but also for the sake of security in Europe,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze.

Due to the notorious initiatives of Viktor Orbán, some EU affairs Committee Chairs decided to boycott the COSAC meeting in Budapest. Sweden, Latvia and Estonia were not present at the level of the Committee Chairs. Lithuania and Poland delegated their Deputy Chairs. A tough position regarding Hungary's actions was demonstrated. The participants who took part in the conference very critically and loudly expressed their disagreement with the “peaceful” initiatives of the Hungarian Prime Minister.