Ukraine expects to open the first cluster of EU accession negotiations as early as June 15

The European Union has reached unanimity regarding the decisions to open negotiation clusters for Ukraine within the accession process. The first cluster may be officially opened as early as June 15, and decisions regarding the rest are planned to be made in the coming weeks. This was reported by the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka during a session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, UNN reports.

Details

According to Kachka, the issue of opening the first negotiation cluster has already been considered four times at the European Union level. In all cases, the decision was supported unanimously by all member states, including Hungary.

"As of today, there is an understanding that the European Union has reached unanimity in making the decision to open the clusters. Starting last week, there have already been four reviews of the issue regarding the opening of the first cluster. In all of them, a unanimous vote was recorded, including Hungary, due to the fact that we reached the agreement I spoke about earlier,"

Taras Kachka also reported that preparations are currently underway for the second meeting of the intergovernmental conference between Ukraine and the European Union.

"As of today, there is a plan to hold  the second meeting of the intergovernmental commission. The conference between Ukraine and the European Union. And to open the first cluster on Monday, June 15. This makes it possible to begin preparations within the European Union for the decision to open the other five clusters,"

Thus, after the opening of the first cluster, the European Union will be able to move on to preparing decisions regarding the remaining areas of the negotiation process. Also, according to Kachka, Ukraine has already received confirmation of support from all EU member states.

"Literally the next day, accordingly, the intention to adopt all decisions  regarding all six clusters in June-July of this year. As of today, they are realistic and practical, and we have received confirmation from all member states - from Poland, from France, from Hungary, Germany, and other member states,"

The official also emphasized that the opening of negotiation clusters signifies the beginning of the final stage of Ukraine's path to membership in the European Union, and that this stage "will consist of the approval of all necessary laws."

Recall

Ukraine's desire to move quickly on the path to EU membership is creating tension between Kyiv, Brussels, and some European capitals ahead of the opening of the first negotiation cluster. Therefore, Kyiv fears that its application for EU membership may