All EU countries agree: a new stage of negotiations will open for Ukraine and Moldova
All European Union member states have agreed to open two more thematic clusters in the accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova. They cover the areas of "Internal Market" and "Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth."
All EU member states agreed: A new stage of negotiations opens for Ukraine and Moldova
According to DW, Thomas Byrne, Ireland's Minister of State for European Affairs, announced this on October 12 on the X social network.
He said EU countries have reached an agreement to open the second and third clusters for Ukraine and Moldova, close chapters 17, 18, and 19 in negotiations with Albania, and chapter 20 with Montenegro.
Amendments to the law on education played an important role in obtaining Hungary's consent to open new clusters for Ukraine.
On October 12, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved these amendments regarding the rights of national minorities in two readings and as a whole. In the evening, MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak stated that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had signed the law.
EU accession negotiations are divided into six major thematic groups — clusters. They cover various areas of legislation and public policy. During the negotiation process, the candidate country's readiness to apply EU rules and standards is assessed.
The clusters are titled "Fundamentals", "Internal Market", "Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth", "Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity", "Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion", and "External Relations".
The first cluster for Ukraine — "Fundamentals" — was opened on June 15. Opening new clusters is not accession itself, but a stage to begin negotiations on the relevant areas.
Earlier, on October 5, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that two clusters for Ukraine and Moldova could be opened at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg on October 13. The conference is planned to be held within the framework of the EU General Affairs Council meeting.
Kos emphasized that Ukraine and Moldova are implementing systemic reforms under very difficult conditions. Despite this, they are among the four countries leading the EU accession negotiations.
The European Commission is expected to publish its detailed assessment of all areas of reforms in the candidate countries on October 28 in its annual enlargement report.
Marta Kos noted that Ukraine is fighting for its existence while simultaneously participating in the EU accession process. According to her, Kyiv must continue reforms also in order to secure additional funds for budget and army needs.