The EU has agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova – Cluster 1 – Fundamentals, calling the move a historic step and a reward for the two countries’ resilience and reforms amid Russia’s war.
The European Council’s agreement to open the accession negotiations marks a major step in both countries’ long path toward EU membership. The decision paves the way for an Intergovernmental Conference on June 15, where the first negotiation stage – the “fundamentals” cluster – will be launched in Brussels.
“Today, the European Union took a major step forward,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
“At the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday, we will open the cluster on fundamentals; the back of the accession process,” she added, explaining that it covers the core values and principles upon which the EU is built from.