Hungary has blocked Ukraine’s EU accession process for a third time, offering to lift its objection only if Kyiv demonstrates progress in protecting the rights of the country’s Hungarian minority.The EU Council’s Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession (COELA) held its first meeting following the summer recess on Tuesday, Sept. 1. According to Ukrainska Pravda citing European Pravda’s sources in Brussels, Hungary refused to approve the screening results for Ukraine’s 2nd and 3rd negotiation clusters.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The decision prevents the Council from moving forward with preparations to formally open the clusters, as such decision require unanimity from all 27 EU member states.Until Ukraine takes necessary steps to fulfill its bilateral commitments on national-minority rights, Budapest will not support its next EU accession stage by allowing progress on the clusters, Ukrainska Pravda separately reported on Tuesday.Third block since JulyDuring the July meetings, Budapest agreed only to advance Cluster 3 for Moldova. Most EU countries, led by Ireland – which holds the Council presidency – opposed separating the accession tracks of Ukraine and Moldova, meaning no decision was reached for either country.The next COELA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 2, though Ukrainska Pravda reported that Ukraine and Moldova are not on the agenda.Accession process remains stalledCluster 2 covers the EU internal market, while Cluster 3 covers competitiveness and inclusive growth.