Ukraine reaches 'home stretch' in screening its legislation for EU accession - Deputy PM

"Screening – the core part of EU accession negotiations – has reached the home stretch. Together with the European Commission, we have begun discussions on the last cluster in our schedule, covering resources, agriculture, and cohesion policy," Kachka said.

According to him, the fifth cluster concerns the most sensitive topics in negotiations with the EU.

"Today, we are discussing agricultural policy: support for farmers, rural development, and control and administration systems," the deputy prime minister added.

He noted that many political issues are hidden behind technical matters, "which we have felt very acutely over the past few years." The vulnerability of both Ukrainian and European farmers makes agricultural issues the most politically sensitive.

"In this part of the negotiations, the involvement of all stakeholders and mutual understanding among them is especially necessary. Success in the talks will mean integration with the EU in a way that makes us together the most powerful player in the global food system. I believe this is possible," Kachka added.

Ukraine’s EU accession

The European Union cannot start accession negotiations with Ukraine solely due to the position of pro-Russian Hungary, which has vetoed the launch of talks.

At the same time, Lithuania has proposed a plan to begin accession negotiations without Hungary’s consent. Under the Vilnius proposal, a technical launch of talks could be carried out at the level of the 26 other EU member states.

European Council President António Costa also believes that negotiations on Ukraine’s EU accession should continue despite Hungary’s veto.

Meanwhile, Ukraine expects that EU countries will make a decision on starting accession talks in the near future.