Photo: Ursula von der Leyen/X
The European Union member states have reached agreement to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, marking the formal start of a new phase in their EU integration process.
According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the first intergovernmental conferences will take place on June 15, during which the first negotiation cluster, “Fundamentals,” will be officially opened.
This initial cluster covers core EU principles, including:
- rule of law
- democratic institutions
- human rights
- good governance
Von der Leyen emphasized that the decision reflects the determination, resilience, and extensive reform efforts undertaken by both countries, even under extremely difficult conditions.
European Council President António Costa also confirmed the start of the negotiations, while European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called the move proof of Ukraine’s and Moldova’s commitment to European values despite ongoing external pressure.
The Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU described the step as a historic moment for the Union and both candidate countries, calling it recognition of their progress and aspirations.
Officials stressed that opening negotiations does not mean automatic EU membership, but rather the beginning of a long and complex process of aligning national laws and institutions with EU standards.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka noted that additional negotiation clusters could potentially be opened within the next month.
