Olivér Várhelyi, EU commissioner for neighborhood policy and enlargement, said the European Union’s enlargement policy is a “very important dimension” for Hungary.
At a conference in Brussels, Várhelyi argued that in neighboring countries “challenges of peace, security and welfare” could still lead to instability. Referring to recent applications by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to join the EU, the Hungarian commissioner said: “These countries see the EU as a place where they could find peace, prosperity and security,” adding that the bloc should give them that opportunity. Várhelyi told MTI after the conference that the European Commission will respond to the three applications on Friday, and provide recommendations, adding that applicants must meet the EU’s Copenhagen criteria in full before accession talks are launched.
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