Summary of the blog
Leaders from the EU’s 27 countries met in Brussels for the first day of their December summit.
In a historic move, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, in the morning doubled down on his position opposing opening accession negotiations with Kyiv.
French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and senior EU officials met with Orbán ahead of the summit in a bid to bring him on board.
Addressing the EU leaders via videoconference, Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked heads of state and government not to “betray” faith in Europe.
After hours of talks, Orbán walked out the room as leaders formally made the decision to open accession talks – thus getting unanimity.
The Hungarian prime minister said “Hungary does not want to share in this bad decision, and for this reason Hungary did not participate in the decision today.”
European Council president Charles Michel called the leaders’ decision to open accession talks a “very powerful political signal.”
Zelenskiy said “this is a victory for Ukraine. A victory for all of Europe. A victory that motivates, inspires, and strengthens.”
Maia Sandu, Moldova’s president, said her country “turns a new page today.”
Asked about Orbán’s comments following the decision, Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo said “or, if you’re a part of a decision, you agree with the decision, or afterwards you just have to keep your mouth shut.”
The European Council also decided to grant the status of candidate country to Georgia, on the understanding that the relevant steps set out in a Commission recommendation are taken.
The European Council also said the bloc will open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved.
Leaders discussed proposed changes to the bloc’s long-term budget, including a new financial package for Ukraine.
‘You just have to keep your mouth shut’, Belgian PM says
Belgium’s prime minister, Alexander De Croo, drew attention with comments reacting to Viktor Orbán’s decision to leave the room while leaders made their decision on Ukraine.
You know, a decision of the council is a decision that binds that binds 27 countries. I think these are the rules of the game and everyone knows that these are the rules of the game.
If you decide, and you agree to that decision – which is what the 27 in the room did – then you should not afterwards say: ‘Well, I have a different opinion on this.’
Or, if you’re a part of a decision, you agree with the decision, or afterwards you just have to keep your mouth shut.
De Croo started to walk away then said:
I should not have said that.
🔥 from @alexanderdecroo - I asked him about Viktor Orban calling opening accession talks with 🇺🇦 a "bad decision"
— Alex Cadier (@alexcadier) December 14, 2023
"Or if you are part of the decision, and you agree with the decision, or afterwards you just have to keep you mouth shut"
Followed by "I shouldn't have said that" pic.twitter.com/Ij85Ucnqar
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