Hungary to hold referendum on Ukraine’s EU membership

Hungary will hold a referendum to determine whether the Hungarian people support Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced during a panel discussion held within the framework of the “Yerevan Dialogue” forum.

Speaking about the prospects of Ukraine’s EU membership, Szijjártó said he could not imagine that Ukraine would meet the necessary criteria for accession in the foreseeable future.

“To be honest, based on the current circumstances, I can't imagine that Ukraine fulfills the necessary criteria in the foreseeable future. 

I don't see them coming closer to fulfill that, but there's going to be a referendum in Hungary, where the people can make a very clear choice whether they support Ukraine becoming a member of the European Union or not. And since we are a democratic government, we will follow the will of the people. Well, I think this is the diplomatic way away from the question,” he said.

Referring to the moderator’s remark that, for example, referendums are not held when imposing taxes or making similar decisions, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó responded that the discussion was not about taxes. He added that Hungary is not afraid to ask its people’s opinion on various issues.

“We have been carrying out national consultances in many, many issues, like the constitution as well, like migration, like family policy, like our approach to Brussels. And we have always respected the will of the people,” said Szijjártó.