Ukraine and Moldova take steps towards EU membership/ EU envoys agree on first phase of talks
Ambassadors from the 27 European Union countries agreed on Friday to advance membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova, with the first phase of negotiations set to begin on Monday.
Even as Ukraine continues to struggle with Russia, President Zelenskiy has made EU membership a key strategic goal to anchor his country in Europe's political mainstream. "Ukraine is doing what is necessary, and it is important that the EU keeps its word," he wrote. He said the opening of the first set of areas to be discussed in negotiations "is an important political and moral support for our state and people."
Moldovan President Maia Sandu was quoted by Moldovan television as telling Antonio Costa, the president of the European Council, that her country "has done the necessary work. And we will continue to implement reforms."
EU leaders agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova in December 2023, but negotiations could not begin in earnest due to opposition by the previous Hungarian government to Kiev's membership bid.
But a new government in Budapest reached an agreement with Kiev this month on the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine, paving the way for Hungary to lift its blockade on the first phase of membership talks.
At a meeting in Brussels on Friday, ambassadors agreed that both Ukraine and Moldova can start talks on the first set of policy areas where they need to reform their laws to meet EU standards. “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. 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 major challenges. And a signal that the EU’s offer of peace, stability and opportunity is unparalleled.”
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