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EU to resume formal accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • The European Union will formally resume accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday, June 15.
  • This step follows Hungary's decision to lift its veto, which had previously stalled the process.
  • The negotiations will begin with the

The European Union is set to formally restart accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday, June 15, marking a significant step toward potential membership for the two Eastern European nations. The process was unblocked after Hungary withdrew its veto, which had previously halted progress.

European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen jointly confirmed the resumption, highlighting the reform efforts and determination of both Ukraine and Moldova. They described the EU's enlargement as a "strategic choice" and acknowledged the "courage and hard work" demonstrated by the aspiring countries despite immense challenges.

The initial phase, known as "Group 1: Fundamentals," will focus on ensuring that Kyiv and Chisináu align their institutional frameworks with EU values and principles. This includes strengthening the rule of law, democratic institutions, fundamental rights, public administration transparency, and basic macroeconomic criteria.

It is a recognition of the determination, the courage and the hard work that the two countries have shown to advance reforms, despite the immense challenges.

— António Costa and Ursula von der LeyenJoint statement confirming the resumption of accession talks.

The standard EU accession methodology involves negotiating six thematic clusters, further divided into numerous specific chapters. This rigorous process evaluates how effectively candidate countries adopt and implement the entire body of EU legislation, covering areas from environmental standards to the single market.

The negotiations had been stalled due to Hungary's restrictive stance under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. However, a shift in Hungarian politics following the April elections, with the rise of Péter Magyar, facilitated the lifting of the veto. This change came after bilateral agreements were reached with Ukraine concerning the rights of the Hungarian minority in the border region.

Despite the restart, EU authorities emphasize that Ukraine and Moldova face a lengthy technical and political process that will likely span several years. Even after successfully completing all stages, full membership is not guaranteed.

strategic choice

— António Costa and Ursula von der LeyenDescribing the EU's enlargement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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