By BRUSSELS. Dec 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – European Council President Charles Michel states that the upcoming European Council meeting will be difficult and says he is working “day and night” to ensure that enlargement decisions, including the decision to begin membership negotiations with Ukraine, are positive.
This follows what Michel told reporters in Brussels on Wednesday ahead of the EU-Western Balkans summit, which will also be attended by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who said he opposes decisions on Ukraine.
“Yes, I will meet with Orbán today. I’m working day and night to meet positive decisions. This agenda is extremely important for the future of this European Union’s project. That’s why, I believe that it is fundamental to be united, to take into account all the difficulties and concerns, to be united and to express our support for Ukraine and to make additional steps in the field of enlargement. Enlargement is a merit-based, that’s why we will explain once again to our friends in the Western Balkans. My personal commitment is that we must be ready to 2030. This is clear ambition and requires a lot of effort on both sides,” the President of the European Council said.
At the same time, he said the EU “has a fundamental principle that is spelled out in the Treaty: unity is required for some decisions.” “We must respect the Treaty. When we respect the rule of law, we must respect the Treaty… The main point for me is to be the guardian of the European unity. This is the role of the European Council. Even when there are some differences it is important to respect everyone and to see how we can build a unified position, because we are strong when we are united. It is no secret that this European Council will be difficult one, but I do not give up and we will work a lot in the hours to come and I look forward to a sense of responsibility on all sides to make us even stronger, more influential and to protect our fundamental interest everywhere across the EU,” Michel explained his role.
