Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielus Landsbergis criticized today Hungary for obstructing decisions on EU foreign policy issues, including the bloc's military aid to Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
Landsbergis said the EU must find a way around Hungary's veto, the agency added, pointing out that the sharp criticism of the Lithuanian minister, who attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in the Belgian capital Brussels, was a reflection of the growing embarrassment in the European Union by the Hungarian actions.
Estonia and Italy also expressed their displeasure with Hungary's blocking tactics.
"I think there should be transparency, including the Hungarian position at the moment," Landsbergis told media representatives upon his arrival for the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. "Almost all our discussions, opinions and decisions are obstructed by a single country. So we have to perceive this as a systematic tactic directed against any EU effort for a significant role in foreign policy affairs", the minister added.
EU decisions on foreign policy require full unanimity of the bloc's 27 member countries.
Reuters points out that Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó did not speak to reporters today on his way to the meeting in Brussels.
According to Landsbergis, Hungary is blocking both military aid to Kiev, the start of talks on Ukraine's accession to the EU, and decisions on the possible membership of Georgia and Armenia. According to diplomats cited by Reuters, Hungary's position often coincides with Russia's foreign policy interests.
"We did a study and it turned out that 41 percent of EU decisions on Ukraine were blocked by Hungary. This has already gone too, too far," said the Lithuanian.
The criticism of Landsbergis, albeit in a milder tone, was joined by a foreign minister from another Baltic republic - the Estonian Margus Tsakhna.
"Every time we gather here, we have to convince Hungary not to obstruct very important initiatives," Tsahkna said.
Diplomats say Budapest is blocking a range of measures related to the European Peace Support Mechanism - an EU-backed fund providing billions of euros in military aid to Kiev.
"At the moment, this funding is vital for Ukraine," Tsakhna pointed out.
"We are against this veto. We want to move forward", said the Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Italy Antonio Tajani in turn.