EU Ambassadors Approve First Phase of Membership Talks with Ukraine and Moldova

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The European Council agreed to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

Ambassadors from the European Union’s 27 member states agreed on Friday to advance accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, with the first phase of talks scheduled to begin on Monday.

Despite continuing to defend itself against Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has made membership of the European Union a central strategic objective. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has consistently emphasised the importance of EU integration in securing Ukraine’s place within Europe’s political and economic framework.

In a message posted on Telegram, Zelenskiy thanked the EU and its leaders “for this strong step for Europe” and also congratulated neighbouring Moldova on the development.

“Ukraine is fulfilling the necessary requirements, and it is important that the European Union is also honouring its commitments,” Zelenskiy wrote.

He described the opening of the first negotiation cluster as “significant political and moral support” for both the Ukrainian state and its people.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu also welcomed the decision. According to Moldovan television, she told European Council President Antonio Costa that Moldova had completed the required preparations and would continue implementing reforms.

EU leaders agreed in December 2023 to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. However, progress was delayed by opposition from the previous Hungarian government to Kyiv’s membership bid.

A breakthrough was reached this month after Hungary’s new government and Ukraine agreed on measures concerning the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, paving the way for Budapest to lift its objection to the first phase of negotiations.

Meeting in Brussels on Friday, EU ambassadors agreed that both Ukraine and Moldova could begin discussions on the first cluster of policy areas, under which they must align their legislation and regulations with EU standards.

Under the accession process, candidate countries negotiate a series of policy chapters grouped into six thematic clusters, covering areas such as fundamental rights, the internal market and external relations.

"Today, the European Union took a major step forward," European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement.

"At the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday, we will open the ⁠cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process," they said.

EU accession negotiations are often lengthy and involve years of work on implementing reforms and meeting European standards.

Costa and von der Leyen said Friday's decision is "a recognition of the ⁠determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges. And a signal that the EU's offer of peace, stability and opportunity is unmatchable".

Source: Reuters



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