The heads of state and government of the EU countries will meet on Thursday and Friday for their December summit. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is already promoting the decisions on Ukraine in advance. The fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet achieved his war goals does not automatically mean that Ukraine will win, she said in Strasbourg.
The goal now is to prove what it means to support the country at war “as long as necessary.” The last regular EU summit of this year will focus, among other things, on further financial support for Ukraine and the country’s prospects for joining the EU. Ursula von der Leyen, for example, called for a decision to at least start accession negotiations. The country is making efforts to implement the necessary reforms. On Wednesday, the president of the European Commission cited two anti-corruption laws and changes to rules for national minorities as examples. Minority languages should be used more in schools and books, but also at public events. They have already responded positively.
Let Hungary reconsider
The European Commission hopes that the amendment to the law on national minorities can also convince the Hungarian government to adopt it. This led to repeated veto threats (see video above) and sometimes accused the Ukrainian government of violating the rights of the Hungarian ethnic minority in the Zakarpattia region. An education law there only allows school lessons in minority languages to a limited extent.
Integration of the countries of the Western Balkans
Another proposal provides for financial support for Ukraine of up to 50 billion euros in 2017. On Wednesday, EU heads of state and government will meet their counterparts from the Western Balkans. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) represents Austria. A joint statement is planned. Diplomats say this is meant to emphasize the need for reforms on both sides.
In addition, more intensive cooperation on security issues will be discussed. The Western Balkan countries should be asked to take stronger action if the Russian government circumvents EU sanctions. In the past, the Austrian government has repeatedly advocated the gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries. This means that they may already be members of the EU Single Market or Customs Union before they are officially accepted.
Source: Krone
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