European leaders signalled renewed momentum for Kyiv’s EU path. A fresh push at the summit promises faster progress through screening and formal talks, while underscoring long term support for Ukraine.
The European Union intends to open the first negotiation cluster for Ukraine’s accession to the EU as quickly as possible and continue supporting the country on its path toward European integration. This position was voiced during the European Political Community summit in Yerevan by the President of the European Council, António Costa.
According to Costa, the European community aims for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, and supporting Ukraine remains the top priority.
“The European Union will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve a sustainable, just, and lasting peace, with full respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Secondly, we need to advance Ukraine’s accession process by opening the first negotiating cluster as soon as possible”
– António Costa
Prospects for opening the first negotiation cluster
Costa also reminded two key points that he conveyed to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky during the meeting in Yerevan: to be with Ukraine for as long as needed for peace, and to speed up the opening of the first negotiation cluster as quickly as possible.
According to the EU, accession negotiations are divided into 35 chapters, of which 33 are grouped into six thematic clusters; the European Commission initially conducts an official screening of Ukraine’s compliance with EU norms. Previously, Hungary applied the principle of unanimity for the opening block of negotiations, which caused a delay, however, the EU aims to move forward.
Thus, it is expected that the opening of the first cluster and subsequent steps will determine the pace of Ukraine’s European course in the coming months, with a focus on rapid progress toward full integration.
ЄС мусить якнайшвидше відкрити перший кластер у переговорах з Україною – Кошта