EU launches accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova

EU ministers will begin talks with Ukraine and Moldova in Luxembourg, officials said, according to AFP. "We keep our promises and will support you on your path to EU membership," EU Council President Charles Michel said.

Mr Michel cited a statement from the Belgian presidency, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe, saying that the ambassadors had agreed in principle on the framework for accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The Belgian president will convene the first intergovernmental meetings on June 25.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) shakes hands with European Council President Charles Michel at the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland on June 16, 2024.

The European Commission said in early June that Ukraine had met basic requirements including efforts to curb the power of oligarchs and better guarantee the rights of ethnic minorities. The process from the start of negotiations until Ukraine and Moldova become EU members will take years.

EU officials fear opposition from Hungary and the new right-wing government in the Netherlands risks derailing the move, which would require the support of all EU member states.

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In response to the above information, sharing on the X platform, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the start of EU accession negotiations as a "historic step". "Millions of Ukrainians, and indeed many generations of our people, are realizing their European dream," according to Mr. Zelensky.

Responding to the above information, Reuters quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as commenting that Moldova's ability to join the EU is a matter of the country's sovereignty, while affirming that many Moldovans also want to have close relations with Russia.

The EU also recognized Georgia as a candidate in December 2023. The bloc has approved accession talks with Bosnia and opened similar talks with Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/eu-khoi-dong-dam-phan-ket-nap-ukraine-va-moldova-185240621194820508.htm