EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said that the European Commission is set to complete the screening of Moldova’s and Ukraine’s legislation for compliance with EU standards in the near future. This is an important step on the path to opening negotiations on the membership of both countries in the European Union.
According to Kos, work continues, but the pace of decision-making may be slower at times. Therefore, after the screening is completed, all clusters will be ready for opening this year, the EU commissioner emphasized.
“We will complete the screening process for all clusters. And I want to emphasize that the process continues, but occasionally we slow down the decision-making process. So, as soon as we complete the screening, all clusters will be ready for opening this year”
– Marta Kos
Prospects for Opening Negotiating Clusters and the EU’s Position
The EU is considering opening negotiating clusters with Ukraine and Moldova, subject to the agreement of all 27 member states. However, the process is currently complicated by Hungary’s stance, which is blocking the opening of clusters for Ukraine.
“Even if we do not have a decision in the EU Council, we continue to work on the technical part, and there we work very quickly so that, as soon as conditions are created, perhaps at one intergovernmental conference, we could open all clusters for Moldova and Ukraine”
– Marta Kos
On September 9, the European Parliament urged EU member states and the European Commission to open negotiating clusters for Ukraine’s membership in the EU as soon as possible, emphasizing the importance of moving swiftly in this direction.