The European Union prepares to officially open the first of six negotiation clusters in the accession process of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine on June 15, according to The Kyiv Independent.
Diplomats from two EU member states say the EU plans to hold an Intergovernmental Conference on June 15, which will formally open the negotiation clusters.
Officials expect the conference to take place alongside the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting in Luxembourg. If organizers cannot confirm June 15, they may hold the conference on June 16 during the General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, which brings together EU foreign ministers and ministers for European affairs.
The EU processes the accession applications of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine in parallel, while Hungary has blocked further progress for a year. According to reports, Hungary raises objections based on 11 demands related to additional rights for the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine.
Officials previously expected the opening of the first cluster between June 16 and June 18.
Two sources within EU institutions confirm that June 15 could mark the start of this stage of negotiations, although they say officials have not yet set a final date.