Ukraine and Moldova to enter first phase of EU membership negotiations

EU leaders António Costa (left) and Ursula von der Leyen (right) praised ‘the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries’. Photograph: Omar Havana/AP View image in fullscreen EU leaders António Costa (left) and Ursula von der Leyen (right) praised ‘the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries’. Photograph: Omar Havana/AP Ukraine and Moldova to enter first phase of EU membership negotiations Election of new Hungarian government in April has paved way for EU member states to agree to open talks Ukraine and Moldova will take a decisive step towards joining the EU on Monday, as they embark on the first phase of membership negotiations. The start of substantive negotiations, launched by senior EU officials and ministers from both countries in Luxembourg on Monday, will be a highly symbolic moment for the two countries that were both part of the former Soviet Union. It comes after Russia has intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian towns and cities, while sustaining huge losses for little territorial gain. Ukraine and Moldova were quickly accepted as EU candidate countries in 2022 , having filed applications days after Russia’s full-scale invasion. But despite a symbolic decision to open talks in June 2024, substantive negotiations were blocked by Hungary’s pro-Russian president, Viktor Orbán. The election of a new Hungarian government in April paved the way for EU member states to agree unanimously last Friday to open “the first cluster”, the chapters of the EU rulebook covering rule of law and democracy. Launching this cluster opens the door to talks on other areas, such as the single market, the environment, economic and social policy. In a joint statement on Friday, EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa praised “the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges”. “Enlargement is a strategic choice,” they said . Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said: “Ukraine is doing what is necessary, and it is important that the EU is also keeping its word. The opening of the first cluster is significant political and moral support for our state and our people.” Heather Grabbe, a former adviser to the European Commission on enlargement, said the opening of cluster one really mattered. “It’s the start of the process of getting a deal for membership. So it’s very significant.” Grabbe,who is also a senior fellow at the Bruegel thinktank, said that starting talks would also be a reality check for the Ukrainian side. “You can’t short circuit the adoption and implementation and enforcement of the EU laws on Ukrainian territory. And that is going to take a while to do. And it’s going to cost administratively.” To join the EU, a country must adopt thousands of European laws and decisions, then gain the unanimous approval of existing members. EU officials have praised Ukraine and Moldova’s reform efforts. In Ukraine, high-profile arrests,