EU launches process to open first negotiation cluster for Ukraine - Politico

A meeting of EU ambassadors in Brussels has initiated the process of opening the first negotiating cluster in accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova; the decisions are expected to be formally approved next week, with intergovernmental conferences to advance to the next stage anticipated on June 15 in Luxembourg, Politico reports, according to UNN.

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The breakthrough, the publication writes, came after EU governments on Wednesday began formally advancing Ukraine and Moldova's bids for EU membership. 

This occurred as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced late Wednesday that Budapest had reached an agreement with Kyiv that would pave the way for the EU to begin accession negotiations with Ukraine.

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A spokesperson for the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU called the EU ambassadors' move a "significant milestone" on the "path of European integration" for the two countries. The spokesperson stated it was a demonstration of the bloc's commitment to expansion, which "sends a powerful signal of unity and determination."

Irish Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee welcomed the ambassadors' decision to advance the EU accession talks, calling the move a "historic milestone." McEntee said that Ukraine and Moldova have demonstrated a commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and reforms "under extraordinary circumstances."

"The EU's common position on this cluster is likely to be formally approved next week, paving the way for separate intergovernmental conferences with Ukraine and Moldova on June 15 in Luxembourg, where accession negotiations can officially move to the next stage," the publication states.

The opening of clusters requires the unanimous approval of all 27 EU member states.

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