EU to Open Landmark Accession Talks with Ukraine, Moldova
In a joint statement, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed an intergovernmental conference scheduled for Monday would officially launch negotiations on the "fundamentals" cluster — encompassing rule of law, democratic institutions, and core EU values.
"This is a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges. And a signal that the EU's offer of peace, stability and opportunity is unmatchable," they said.
Describing the cluster as "the backbone of the accession process," the two leaders framed enlargement as a deliberate geopolitical choice rather than procedural obligation.
"In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger European Union is in our common interest. Enlargement remains one of the EU's greatest success stories and our best investment in our shared future," they said.
Moldova submitted its EU membership application in March 2022, receiving candidate status three months later. Ukraine filed its application shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion that same year, secured candidate status by year's end, and formally launched accession negotiations in 2024.
Friday's announcement signals Brussels' accelerating commitment to absorbing both war-affected nations into the European fold amid deepening continental security concerns.
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