EU begins historic accession talks with Ukraine amidst key challenges
The European Union inaugurated accession negotiations with Ukraine in Luxembourg. "Historic moment for Ukraine, Moldova, and the European Union: we are officially starting accession negotiations," said Hadja Lahbib, Belgium's Minister of Foreign Affairs, who currently holds the presidency of the EU Council.
Lahbib emphasized that the EU enlargement process is a geostrategic investment in peace, security, stability, and prosperity.
She said it is a driver of improving European citizens' economic and social conditions, reducing disparities between countries and must support the values on which the Union is based.
Ukraine's difficult path
Ukraine and Moldova have held candidate country status since June 2022. In December 2023, European Union leaders agreed to start accession negotiations.
Talks could not start long due to the lack of so-called negotiation frameworks. The European Commission proposed them in March, but Hungary had reservations. These included issues related to the rights of national minorities, trade, and agriculture.
However, in mid-June, EU country ambassadors unanimously approved the negotiation frameworks, allowing the talks to commence.
Eight other countries, in addition to Ukraine and Moldova, have candidate status: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia, and Turkey.
