Czechia calling for EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova to start before Hungary's presidency

Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák has sent an appeal to the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council, urging for it to start negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on accession to the EU in June, i.e. before  Hungary is set to take over the rotating EU Presidency in July of this year. Minister Dvořák expressed concern that, under the leadership of Viktor Orban, Hungary could try to freeze the process during his country’s time at the helm. According to Czech Radio, eleven EU states have backed the appeal. They are Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Slovenia, Portugal and Germany.