EU to Begin Accession Talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday

The European Union is set to commence initial accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday, marking a significant step in the countries' long-held aspirations to join the bloc. The decision was formalized in a joint statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU President António Costa.

"Today, the EU has taken a big step forward," the statement read. "At the first intergovernmental conference on Monday, we will begin the negotiations on the fundamental principles that form the core of the accession process." This development follows last week's approval from EU member states to open accession talks, though the specific date remained undecided until now.

Von der Leyen and Costa emphasized that this decision sends a powerful message. "The EU's offer of peace, stability, and opportunity is unmatched," they stated. "By bringing our nations closer together, we strengthen peace, security, and prosperity across our continent. In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger EU is in our common interest."

“

Today, the EU has taken a big step forward. At the first intergovernmental conference on Monday, we will begin the negotiations on the fundamental principles that form the core of the accession process.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long advocated for EU membership. While the EU leadership, including von der Leyen and Costa, has supported this goal, achieving consensus among all member states has been a hurdle. Hungary, under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, had previously blocked the talks. However, following recent political shifts in Hungary, where Péter Magyar's opposition party, Tisza, replaced Orbán, a new dynamic emerged.

Magyar had initially demanded guarantees for the Ukrainian minority in Hungary before approving the accession talks. An agreement on this matter has since been reached between Ukraine and Hungary, leading to Hungary lifting its blockade and paving the way for Monday's negotiations.

“

The EU's offer of peace, stability, and opportunity is unmatched. By bringing our nations closer together, we strengthen peace, security, and prosperity across our continent. In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger EU is in our common interest.