EU agrees to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova

The countries of the European Union have agreed to open the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova regarding their future membership in the EU, as stated in the joint declaration by European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The first intergovernmental conference, scheduled for Monday, June 15, will formally open the first of six negotiation clusters - the "fundamentals" cluster, covering key EU principles and values, including the rule of law and democratic institutions.

Costa and von der Leyen said the decision reflects both countries' efforts to implement reforms despite significant challenges.

They added that the move will bring stability and economic opportunities for the candidate countries, while EU enlargement remains a strategic priority aimed at strengthening security, peace, and prosperity across the continent.