The Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are expected to take a major step toward European Union membership on 15 June, when the EU will officially launch accession negotiations by opening the first cluster of negotiating chapters dedicated to the rule of law and democratic governance.
The opening of the negotiations is set to take place in Luxembourg and marks a significant milestone for both countries, which applied for EU membership shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Although EU leaders agreed in June 2024 to begin accession negotiations, the process remained stalled for a year due to opposition from the previous Hungarian government. Following the formation of a new government in Budapest, EU member states reached a unanimous agreement last week to open the first negotiation cluster.
The first cluster covers key areas such as the rule of law, democratic institutions, and judicial reform. Its opening will pave the way for negotiations in additional fields, including the single market, environmental policy, economic governance, and social affairs.
In a joint statement, Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa praised the “determination, courage, and hard work” shown by Moldova and Ukraine in advancing reforms despite difficult circumstances.
“Enlargement is a strategic choice,” the two European leaders stated.
For his part, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is fulfilling its commitments and stressed the importance of the European Union honoring its own promises. He described the opening of the first negotiation cluster as an important political and moral signal of support for Ukraine and its citizens.
Experts note that the accession process remains lengthy and demanding. To join the European Union, candidate countries must align their legislation with thousands of EU rules and standards and ultimately obtain unanimous approval from all EU member states.