EU agrees to open Ukraine and Moldova membership talks
European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to open formal membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, despite an earlier threat from Hungary to veto the deal. A European diplomatic source said that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had agreed not to be in the room when the other 26 leaders backed a consensus decision. European Council President Charles Michel, host of the EU summit, announced the agreement in a social media post, dubbing it: "A clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent." A senior European official told reporters: "There has been a decision of the European Council on this matter which has not been opposed by any member of the European Council." (AFP)