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EU Begins Formal Accession Negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova

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EU Formally Opens Accession Negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova

The European Union has formally opened the first stage of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. The process began on June 25, 2024, at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, following the lifting of a two-year veto by Hungary.

Timeline of Events

  • December 2023: EU leaders agreed to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova.
  • June 14, 2024: EU ambassadors endorsed a common position for the first negotiation cluster, including a rule-of-law roadmap and an action plan on minority rights.
  • June 15, 2024: Formal intergovernmental conferences were held in Luxembourg to open negotiations.
  • June 25, 2024: The accession process was formally launched at a second intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, with Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka in attendance.

Key Developments

Hungarian Veto Lifted

Hungary's former government, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, had blocked negotiations for two years. Hungary's new Prime Minister, Peter Magyar, lifted the veto after reaching an agreement with Ukraine on the rights of the ethnic Hungarian minority in Ukraine. Following the lifting of the veto, the EU released over €16 billion in frozen funds for Hungary.

Prime Minister Magyar stated that Hungary does not support a fast-track procedure and indicated that a referendum on Ukraine's membership would be held if it closes all 33 accession chapters within 10–15 years.

Negotiation Structure

  • The first cluster, called "Fundamentals," covers rule of law, human rights, judiciary, and democratic institutions.
  • The European Commission and several member states support opening all negotiation clusters by summer 2024.
  • Cyprus, holding the rotating EU presidency at the time, aimed to open an additional cluster before the end of June 2024.
  • The accession process requires candidate countries to complete negotiations in 33 to 35 policy areas, a process that typically takes years and requires unanimous approval from all EU member states at each stage.

Statements from Officials

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa: "Enlargement is a strategic choice. In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger European Union is in our common interest."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: The decision provides "significant political and moral support."

Ireland's Foreign Minister Helen McEntee: "We need to make sure that there isn't a two-tiered approach or we apply [the accession process] equally to each country." McEntee questioned whether associate membership could leave applicants in a "limbo" without sufficient pressure to implement legal reforms.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in a letter to EU leaders, proposed a tailor-made "associate membership" status for Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha: "We see that the search for modalities that can lead to this membership is ongoing. Well, let them have a place, but they cannot replace our strategic position."

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas: Described the launch as a major milestone, stating that both countries have implemented difficult reforms under extraordinary circumstances.

A senior EU diplomat: "The quicker we open the other clusters, the better it is."

Country Positions

Ireland: Expressed caution regarding associate membership, warning it could create a two-tier system and slow progress toward full membership.

Germany: Proposed creating an "associate membership" status for Ukraine, offering access to EU decision-making bodies without voting rights, access to EU programmes, and security guarantees under Article 42.7 of the EU treaties.

Hungary: Does not support a fast-track procedure. Prime Minister Magyar indicated that a referendum on Ukraine's membership would be held if the country closes all accession chapters within 10–15 years.

Background

Ukraine's EU accession process had been stalled for two years due to a Hungarian veto. The new Hungarian government launched consultations with Kyiv regarding Hungarian minority rights in Ukraine, which unlocked progress. Opening the first cluster does not accelerate the accession process; member states maintain a merit-based approach.

Ukraine views EU membership as a security guarantee and a step toward alignment with Western values, while continuing to defend against Russia's ongoing invasion. Concerns within the EU persist regarding Ukraine's readiness to join, given the conflict with Russia and Moscow's claimed annexation of five regions.