EU sets date for launching Ukraine's accession talks
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The ambassadors of the European Union countries have given in-principle consent to the opening of EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, which will begin on June 25, according to Le Point.
"The ambassadors have agreed in principle to the framework of EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. The Belgian presidency will convene the first intergovernmental conferences on June 25," the source says.
The decision is to be officially approved at a ministerial meeting on June 21.
Updated. The EU Council has officially approved the start of negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova
The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council said this on X.
"The EU Council adopted the general EU positions, incl. negotiating frameworks, for accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. This opens the way for launching the negotiations on Tuesday 25 June in Luxembourg," the statement said.
An intergovernmental conference with Ukraine will be held at 15:30, and an intergovernmental conference with Moldova at 18:00.
Ukraine's accession to EU
On February 28, 2022, shortly after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine applied for EU membership.
On June 23, 2022, the European Council granted Ukraine candidate status. This was a historic step, as Ukraine became the first country to be granted candidate status during the war.
Candidate status means that Ukraine has begun the formal process of negotiating its accession to the EU. These negotiations are expected to be long and difficult. Ukraine needs to fulfill many conditions before it can become a full member of the EU.
Having made significant progress towards EU membership, Ukraine received the green light from the European Union in December 2023 to start formal negotiations. Nevertheless, Kyiv continues to actively prepare for accession, diligently doing its homework.
