All EU member states have given their approval to begin preparations for opening the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, marking a significant step forward in both countries’ bids to join the bloc.
The announcement was made by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union on X on Wednesday.
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“The Cyprus Presidency initiated the preparation for the formal opening of Cluster One in the accession negotiations of Ukraine and Moldova,” the presidency wrote.
It described the move as “a significant milestone” in the European integration paths of both countries and said it sends “a strong message of EU unity and determination.”
According to the presidency, discussions within the Council will continue in the coming days to finalize the formal opening of the cluster.
“The Cyprus Presidency, guided by the merit-based approach, is delivering on enlargement, which is a strategic priority and one of the European Union’s most transformative policies,” the statement said.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko welcomed the development, saying all EU member states had now backed the opening of Cluster 1 for both Ukraine and Moldova.
“Fantastic news – all EU member states have given the green light to open Cluster 1 in accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova,” Svyrydenko wrote on X.
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“We are one step closer to EU membership: steadily moving towards our goal.”
She thanked the Cypriot presidency and EU member states for supporting Ukraine’s European integration efforts.
The first negotiation cluster, known as the “Fundamentals” cluster, covers key areas including the rule of law, democratic institutions, judicial reform, public administration, and fundamental rights.
Its opening is considered a mandatory stage in the accession process and serves as the foundation for broader membership negotiations.
Ukraine formally received EU candidate status in June 2022 and opened accession talks with the bloc in June 2024.
In early May, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka said Ukraine could close most EU accession negotiation chapters within 12–18 months and move toward signing a membership agreement in 2027.
Kachka noted that the EU had issued Ukraine 145 requirements for opening the negotiation clusters in advance.
“Most of them concern aligning Ukrainian legislation with EU standards, as well as the day-to-day functioning of institutions. All these requirements are realistic. In the next 12–18 months, we can close most of the negotiation chapters and proceed to signing the EU accession agreement next year,” he said.
He added that in March, Ukraine received a second package of conditions needed to complete technical negotiations across all chapters. Technical work is currently underway with the European Commission on all six clusters.
At the same time, Kachka stressed that even after a potential signing of the accession treaty, the process would not be complete, as the agreement must still be ratified by the parliaments of all EU member states as well as Ukraine, a process that could take several years.
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