The European Union has officially started accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
This was announced by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Hromadske reports.
This is very good news for the people of Ukraine, Moldova and the entire European Union. The path ahead will be difficult but full of opportunities. We wish you a successful start to the negotiations! — she wrote.
Ursula von der Leyen said that the people of Ukraine and Moldova have demonstrated an “unwavering commitment” to joining the European Union. Despite the fact that both countries have launched large-scale reforms, Ukraine and Moldova still have a “tough and demanding” path ahead of them.
According to the President of the European Commission, accession negotiations are needed to prepare the country for EU membership, and therefore they cannot be “shortcuts.”
The EU Council approved the negotiation framework for Ukraine and Moldova on June 21. Intergovernmental conferences for both countries will begin today, June 25. According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the first intergovernmental conference will officially launch negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the EU.
Earlier, the Financial Times, citing its own sources, wrote that the European Commission recommended starting negotiations on Ukraine’s and Moldova’s EU membership in June, before Hungary takes over the EU presidency.
