European Union countries have reached an agreement to begin a new stage of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova regarding their future accession to the EU. After two years of blocking, Hungary lifted its veto, allowing the 27 EU member states to unanimously support the opening of the first block of negotiations, called the "fundamental cluster," writes Euronews.
European symbols in a park in Chișinău. Illustrative photo. Photo: AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File
This decision is to be formally adopted on June 15 during intergovernmental conferences in Luxembourg, which will be held separately with Ukraine and Moldova.
The first stage of negotiations concerns the most important issues of state functioning. It includes reforms in the areas of the rule of law, judicial independence, the fight against corruption, and the protection of human rights and national minorities.
It was the issue of national minority rights that was the main cause of disputes between Hungary and Ukraine. Budapest argued that the Hungarian minority in the Transcarpathian region did not have sufficient guarantees of their rights, and for this reason, for a long time, it prevented further progress in negotiations. As a result of negotiations between the two sides, an action plan was prepared and adjusted, which satisfied the EU countries.
The European Union leadership called the adopted decision a recognition of the courage and perseverance of Ukraine and Moldova, which continue to carry out necessary reforms despite serious internal and external challenges. The heads of European institutions emphasized that EU enlargement is considered a strategic choice that should strengthen peace, security, and prosperity on the European continent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed this decision and called it important political and moral support for his country and the Ukrainian people in the face of ongoing war.
The entire process of joining the European Union is very complex and divided into six large thematic blocks, which include 33 separate chapters of legislation and public administration. The opening of the first cluster means only the beginning of a long journey, not rapid EU accession.
Ukraine expects to open the remaining negotiation blocks in the near future to show its citizens that the prospect of European membership remains real even during the war. This position is supported by the European Commission and a number of EU states.
At the same time, the EU countries emphasize that the accession process will take place according to general rules. No simplified schemes or accelerated membership solely due to difficult circumstances for Ukraine are planned. Each subsequent stage will depend on how successfully the candidate countries meet the necessary requirements and carry out reforms.
Also, discussions are beginning in the EU about whether Ukraine and Moldova will continue to move forward in negotiations together, as a single group of candidate countries, or whether their paths may diverge in the future depending on the pace of fulfilling the requirements of the European Union.
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