Hungary Blocks Ukraine and Moldova Accession Clusters 2 and 3 for the Second Time

Hungary's government under Péter Magyar refused for a second time to approve the screening results needed to open negotiating clusters 2 ('Internal Market') and 3 ('Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth') for Ukraine and Moldova, putting Kyiv's fast-tracked accession goal at risk. Magyar — who lifted the country's veto on Cluster 1 in June and allowed Cluster 6 to open in July — argued that speeding up Ukraine's process further would be unfair to Western Balkans candidates who have waited longer. A third attempt to approve the clusters was scheduled for September 1.