Ukraine takes another step toward EU membership with new minority education law
Ukraine's parliament passes national minorities law on October 12, clearing path for next stage of EU accession talks (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine's parliament has passed a law on the educational rights of national minorities. The move will determine whether Ukraine can open the next stages of its EU accession negotiations, according to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Lawmakers passed Bill No. 16119 in full. It regulates education for national minority communities.
"The bill was supported by 266 members of parliament," the Verkhovna Rada said in a statement.
The parliament speaker was instructed to sign the document without delay and forward it to the president for signing.
What this changes for EU accession talks
Passing the law is a necessary prerequisite for unblocking the European integration process.
It will allow Ukraine to open the second and third negotiation clusters. This is expected to happen at the next intergovernmental conference.
As previously reported, parliament registered bill No. 16119 on October 1.
Ukrainian will remain the state language of instruction, while the changes concern the official languages of national minorities in the EU. Russian is not among them.
