Ambassadors from the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) have reached an agreement to advance accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, this decision paves the way for the official commencement of the first stage of negotiations on Monday.
The EU enlargement process is a lengthy and complex undertaking, requiring candidate countries to align their national legislation and institutions with established EU standards. According to official sources, the initial "cluster" of negotiations will focus on fundamental reforms, including the rule of law, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and governance standards.
EU accession talks are structured into six thematic clusters covering areas such as the internal market, fundamental rights, and foreign relations. This framework ensures that candidate nations are fully integrated into the European legal and economic architecture.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision. In a statement via his Telegram channel, he thanked EU leaders, describing the move as a "strong step" for Europe. Zelenskyy noted that the start of negotiations represents both symbolic and strategic support for Ukraine, reaffirming that the country's integration into European political and economic structures remains a primary national objective.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu also praised the development, emphasizing that her country remains committed to implementing the necessary reforms for EU integration. She stated that Moldova has "done the necessary work" to meet the criteria. Chisinau has prioritized strengthening ties with the EU in its foreign policy agenda in recent years.
It should be noted that while EU leaders agreed to open negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in December 2023, the process was previously delayed due to political objections from Hungary. This obstacle was removed after Budapest reached an agreement with Kyiv regarding the rights of national minorities. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued a joint statement characterizing the decision as a testament to the "determination and courage" of the candidate countries.
