EU Commissioner Marta Kos confirms EU-Ukraine negotiations to open June 15

European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, confirmed from Kyiv that negotiations between Ukraine and the European Commission (EC) on the first set of chapters of requirements for candidate countries to join the European Union (EU) will commence on June 15.

The first group of chapters includes critical issues such as the rule of law and fundamental rights, particularly concerning the treatment of ethnic minorities. "The rule of law is one of the most important steps. It is where everything begins and ends," Kos stated, as cited by the Ukrainian public news agency Ukrinform. According to the commissioner, passing this assessment is proof that a candidate country is serious about its integration aspirations into the EU.

Hungary had previously blocked the opening of negotiations on this first chapter, citing alleged problems with Ukraine's treatment of its Hungarian minority. However, the current Hungarian Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, has now given the green light for the negotiations to begin after reaching an agreement with Ukraine regarding the Hungarian minority residing in the country.

The accession to the EU is conditional upon meeting requirements in five other groups of chapters, for which the opening of negotiations has not yet been scheduled. Kos is visiting Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's pending reforms with Ukrainian authorities on its path to the EU. Her priorities during this visit to the Ukrainian capital include supporting the Ukrainian government in implementing reforms, boosting the country's recovery amidst the ongoing war, and strengthening political and social support for EU accession, according to a press release from her office.

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The rule of law is one of the most important steps. It is where everything begins and ends.