The countries of the European Union agree on the opening of negotiations
The countries of the European Union have formally agreed this Friday to open negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on their accession to the community club on June 25, as reported by the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU. This agreement has been ratified by the EU Council at a meeting of Finance Ministers.
Intergovernmental conference and conditions for negotiations
The intergovernmental conference with Ukraine is scheduled to start on Tuesday, June 25 at 15:30 local time, while with Moldova it will start at 18:00 on the same day. This conference marks the beginning of accession negotiations for both countries.
Before this agreement, Hungary had made it a condition for the start of negotiations that Ukraine restore the rights of the Magyar minority on its territory. However, Hungary has announced that during its rotating presidency it will not promote accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, but with the countries of the Western Balkans.
Belgium’s goal and future prospects
Belgium, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union this semester, had aimed to start accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova before passing the baton to Hungary on July 1. With this agreement, it has been possible to fulfill this objective and open the door to future negotiations for its accession.
Accession negotiations with other countries
Currently, the European Union has already opened accession negotiations with most countries, except Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. These countries have expressed their interest in joining the EU, but have not yet acquired candidate country status.
