Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) said before the meeting that it is essential to agree both on aid to Ukraine and on other budget amendments, which has indeed happened.
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa on the EU’s decision
“What we have also discussed at dinner yesterday is that it is important for us to achieve a multi-year budget revision package together with support for Ukraine. Support for Ukraine is extremely important, but it is clear that migration issues and border security are equally important for many southern countries – Italy , for Greece. We understand that. That’s why it’s definitely important for us that this package goes together,” said Siliņa.
The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached on the microblogging platform “X”.
Agreement!
27 European Union countries have fulfilled their commitment to provide predictable, long-term support to Ukraine in the amount of 50 billion euros. This will strengthen 🇺🇦 in their fight for their freedom. This is very good news for the security of Latvia and the whole of Europe. 🇱🇻🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/KHOimPptN1— Evika Silina 🇱🇻🇺🇦 (@EvikaSilina) February 1, 2024
The President of the Council of the European Union (EU) Charles Michel was also satisfied with the decision reached.
“This (decision) ensures stable, long-term and predictable funding for Ukraine. The EU takes the lead and the responsibility to support Ukraine; we know what is at stake,” he wrote on the “X” website.
We have a deal. #Unity
All 27 leaders agreed on an additional €50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget.
This locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for #Ukraine.
EU is taking leadership & responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is…
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) February 1, 2024
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had previously set several preconditions that are not acceptable to other countries. Therefore, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (“New Unity”) did not rule out the possibility that all other countries of the bloc could agree on depriving Hungary of voting rights in the coming weeks.
“Anyway, for him [Orbānam] becoming a problem, we need to solve that problem. If the solution is to take away voting rights, then it may come to that at some point,” said Siliņa.
“But we probably won’t be able to immediately take away these voting rights this time. Obviously, each member state has to go to their parliaments to discuss more. But if it has to be done in order to reach a multi-year agreement [par finansiālo atbalstu] For Ukraine, why not? Because we need support for Ukraine not only for Ukraine’s sake, but also for ourselves and the European Union. Therefore, this game comes to the border with our common security,” the Prime Minister said.
Orbán has so far also questioned the idea of committing to funding Ukraine for the next four years, while he says it is not even known what will happen after one quarter, the British broadcaster BBC reported, citing the official.
“Hungary is ready to participate in the 27 (EU member states) solution if you guarantee that every year we will decide whether to send this money or not. And this annual decision must have the same legal basis as today – it must be unanimous,” he previously said Orban.
As tensions rose in the European Union over Hungary’s position, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday that he could not accept Mr Orbán’s “very strange and very egotistical game” and that if Hungary’s position dominated EU politics, Ukraine would surely lose.
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2024-02-01 10:23:45
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