EU accession: EU Commissioner Marta Kos arrives in Ukraine to review reforms
Photo: EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos (Getty Images)
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos arrived in Ukraine to assess the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with European standards, a step preceding the opening of negotiation clusters on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, according to the EU press service.
"From today until Wednesday, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is in Ukraine to reaffirm the EU's steadfast commitment to the country's European future and to mark the conclusion of the EU accession screening process, underscoring Ukraine's progress toward EU membership," the press release stated.
Planned visits and meetings in the regions
On Monday, the Commissioner is scheduled to visit schools for Hungarian and Slovak minorities in Zakarpattia. Marta Kos will also meet with representatives of the Council of National Minorities of Ukraine to discuss the government’s recent steps to strengthen minority rights in the country, including the Action Plan on National Minorities.
The Commissioner will then visit a newly opened railway built using the European standard track gauge, which improves cross-border connectivity, trade, and investment, paving the way for Ukraine’s further integration into the EU transport network.
On Tuesday, September 30, Kos will meet with regional representatives to discuss decentralization reforms. In addition, she will take part in Ukraine Resilience Week and visit the Nezlamnist (Indestructibility) rehabilitation center and a housing project for internally displaced persons and war veterans funded by the EU.
The Commissioner will also hold meetings with civil society, women leaders, and veteran entrepreneurs to discuss progress on reforms in Ukraine and economic prospects.
Meetings with representatives of central authorities
On Wednesday, October 1, during Defender’s Day, Commissioner Kos will meet with representatives of Ukraine’s government and parliament to discuss the reform agenda related to EU accession.
In addition, Commissioner Kos will meet with representatives of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions — NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine), SAP (Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine), VAKS (High Anti-Corruption Court), SBU (Security Service of Ukraine), and NAZK (National Agency on Corruption Prevention).
Where Ukraine stands in the EU accession process
Earlier today, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine must join the European Union and that everything necessary is being done to achieve this.
Media reports indicate that negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession could begin in spring 2026. This timing is set to follow parliamentary elections in Hungary, which has been blocking Ukraine’s European integration.
Ukraine submitted its application for EU membership a few days after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
In December 2023, the European Council decided to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
