Ursula von der Leyen says the European Union will open the first negotiation cluster for both Moldova and Ukraine in the coming days. She makes the announcement during the presentation of the EU’s 21st sanctions package against Russia.
The European Commission President notes that both countries continue to implement reforms and make steady progress toward EU membership.
“Now is the time to make progress. And we have an historic opportunity to do so. In the coming days, we will open the first cluster of negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. This effectively opens the door to the next phase of the accession process: the formal start of accession negotiations,” von der Leyen says.
She delivers the statement alongside the announcement of the 21st sanctions package against Russia, which EU member states will review for approval.