The Twenty-seven agree to open the first group of chapters for the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU

Zelensky appreciates the “political and moral support” of the EU and Sandu assures that she is ready to implement the necessary reforms

The Twenty-seven Member States agreed this Friday to open the first group of chapters for the accession of Ukraine and Moldova into the community bloc, thus formally opening negotiations for the two countries to become part of the European Union, after Hungary decided to lift a veto that it has maintained for two years.

In a meeting at ambassadorial level held in Brussels, the EU Council agreed on a common position for the opening of the first group of chapters, called ‘fundamental’, also defined in Brussels as “the backbone of the accession process.” The signing will take place in Luxembourg next Monday at two intergovernmental conferences.

“This is recognition of the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries to push forward reforms, even in the face of immense challenges,” said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa, in a joint statement.

The German conservative and the Portuguese socialist have celebrated the opening of the first group of chapters, describing it as “a sign that the EU’s offer of peace, stability and opportunities is unmatched.” “Enlargement is a strategic decision. By bringing our nations closer together, we strengthen peace, security and prosperity across our continent,” they said.

They have also noted that, in a world “marked by growing uncertainty”, “a larger European Union is in the common interest”, which is why the enlargement of the community bloc “continues to be one of the EU’s greatest successes” and the “best investment in our common future”.

Cyprus, the country that holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, has also celebrated the agreement, stating that it represents “a milestone” and a recognition of the “aspirations, resilience and hard work” of the two candidates who “have chosen Europe and its values.”

“By taking this important step together, we reaffirm that the European Union is stronger when it remains united, principled and open to those committed to its values,” the Council presidency indicated in a message on social networks.

THE RULE OF LAW AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

Specifically, the Twenty-seven and Ukraine and Moldova will open the chapters related to the rule of law and fundamental rights, as well as those on the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform and economic criteria.

This group includes five of the total 33 chapters of the accession process: number 23 on judiciary and fundamental rights; chapter 24 of justice, freedom and security; chapter five of public procurement; chapter 18 of statistics, and chapter 32 of financial control.

It is the first block of negotiation chapters that is opened in any process of entry into the community club, but because they are fundamental reforms it is also the last to be closed, according to European sources consulted by Europa Press.

The opening ceremony of the chapters will be held at the second meeting of the Accession Conference with Ukraine and Moldova, two events that will coincide on the same day with the twenty-seventh meeting of the Accession Conference with Montenegro, the most advanced country in integration into the European Union.

The formal start of negotiations takes place after the new Hungarian Government withdrew the veto that the previous Executive of Viktor Orbán maintained for two years on this process. His successor, Péter Magyar, already announced at the end of May that he was committed to opening a new chapter in relations with kyiv.

Progress in talks to resolve bilateral differences over the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine has led to Hungary finally changing its position, although Magyar has already indicated that the process for the country governed by Zelensky to become part of the European Union could take between ten and fifteen years.

The blockade for two years led Brussels and kyiv to begin informal talks some time ago to work at a technical level in many of the chapters, with the aim that once they could open they would already be very advanced.

ZELENSKI THANKS THE “POLITICAL AND MORAL SUPPORT”

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has celebrated the agreement reached by the Twenty-Seven and has thanked both the Ukrainian population and the European partners for the support shown to the accession process.

“The opening of the first group of chapters is significant political and moral support for our State and our people,” said the Ukrainian president in a message published on social networks, in which he defended that Ukraine “is doing what is necessary” to advance the required reforms and has demanded that the EU “also keep its word.”

Zelensky has also insisted that Ukraine, by defending itself from Russian aggression, “defends both the whole of Europe” and the idea that European nations can live “united, free and in peace.” Likewise, he congratulated Moldova for this “step” on the path towards European integration and hoped that new groups of negotiating chapters could be opened soon.

For her part, the president of Moldova, Maia Sandu, has contacted Costa, to whom she has transferred her country’s celebration following the decision of the Twenty-seven to open the first cluster of accession negotiations on Monday.

“Moldova is ready to open all chapters. We have done the work, and we will continue to implement reforms. Looking forward to the EU-Moldova summit on June 22,” he indicated in another message on social networks.