Ukraine opens accession negotiations with the EU today

The European Union (EU) and Ukraine today opened accession negotiations and the first negotiating cluster 1 - Fundamentals at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, the EU announced tonight.

"Today, the EU and Ukraine reached a significant milestone by opening negotiations on the so-called Foundation cluster. This cluster encompasses the fundamental values ​​and principles on which the EU is built. It encompasses the EU acquis relating to the rule of law and fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform and economic criteria," the statement said.

Today's historic milestone is the culmination of the Cypriot presidency and sends a clear message: The future of Ukraine and its citizens is firmly rooted in the EU.

Today's accession conference also underlines Ukraine's strong commitment to European integration and recognizes the significant progress achieved despite unprecedented challenges.

This is proof of the resilience of the Ukrainian people. At the same time, the commitments that Ukraine is making today are crucial for progress in the accession process. Enlargement is not only a strategic opportunity for Ukraine, but also a strategic investment in a stronger, safer and more united Europe, the statement added.

Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Marilena Rauna said that Cluster 1 of the Basics includes the negotiation chapters - Chapter 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, Chapter 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security, Chapter 5 - Public Procurement, Chapter 18 - Statistics and Chapter 32 - Financial Control.

The EU has set provisional benchmarks for both the horizontal cluster level and the rule of law chapters (23 and 24). These benchmarks will need to be met before the negotiation process can move to the final phase with the provisional closure of the chapters.

In addition, the EU has set criteria for the provisional closure of other chapters on public procurement, statistics and financial control (5, 18 and 32).

Negotiations on the Basics cluster are the first to open and the last to close in the accession process. Progress within this cluster will determine the overall pace of negotiations.

Accession is a merit-based process. Monitoring of progress in alignment with the EU acquis and relevant European standards and their implementation will continue throughout the negotiations, the EU statement added.

Following the introduction of the revised methodology for the 2020 accession negotiations, the negotiating chapters have been divided into 6 thematic clusters: 1. Fundamentals, 2. Internal Market, 3. Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth, 4. Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity, 5. Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion, and 6. External Relations, the statement added.

Ambassadors from the 27 EU member states decided on June 12 to officially open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. Today, Montenegro provisionally closed two more chapters in the accession negotiations.