EU Commission approves negotiation framework for Ukraine's EU accession: What's next
Photo: The European Commission has approved a framework for negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU (Getty Images)
The European Commission has submitted to the European Council proposals for draft negotiation frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova and an oral report on the progress made by both countries, according to the European Commission.
The negotiation framework establishes guidelines and principles for accession negotiations with each candidate country.
The draft framework prepared by the European Commission is divided into three parts:
1) principles governing accession negotiations
2) content of the negotiations
3) negotiation procedure.
"The objective of the negotiations is that Ukraine and Moldova adopt the EU acquis in its entirety and ensure its full implementation and enforcement," the statement says.
The draft framework for negotiations is based on the experience of past enlargements and ongoing accession negotiations. It integrates the revised enlargement methodology and takes into account evolving EU legislation.
The Council is now to start an internal debate on these texts. Once the Council approves the framework for negotiations, the alternating Presidencies of the Council of the European Union will present the agreed common EU position at the first intergovernmental conference involving each country, which will mark the official start of accession negotiations. At this stage, the framework for the negotiations will be made public.
Negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU
In December 2023, at a summit in Brussels, EU leaders approved the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union.
Negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU have not yet begun, as Ukrainian legislation is currently being screened for compliance with EU requirements and a negotiating framework is being formed.
