The Cabinet of Ministers approved roadmaps for the opening of the 1st negotiation cluster with the EU
On May 14, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the road maps necessary for the opening of the first cluster in the process of pre-accession negotiations with the European Union. About this reported Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.
“The road maps concern the sphere of the rule of law, public administration reform and the functioning of democratic institutions. They are fully in line with Ukraine’s international obligations, our strategic and programmatic documents.” Shmyhal explained.
According to him, the government also approved the negotiating position regarding the first cluster called “Basics of the EU accession process”.
“We are taking important steps towards membership in the European Union. Our goals remain unchanged: to open negotiations for all six negotiation clusters this year, and after the end of the war to become an integral part of a united Europe.” he added.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos expressed hope that the first three negotiation clusters between Ukraine and the EU will be opened already in the first half of the year – during Poland’s presidency, and the rest – by the end of December. Subsequently, she clarified that there is a clear prospect of opening all negotiation clusters before the end of 2025.
We will remind you that on March 20, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration – Minister of Justice Olga Stefanishyna – said that Ukraine is ready to start negotiations on joining the EU both gradually and within the framework of a single intergovernmental conference, depending on the progress of the dialogue with the Hungarian side.
According to the EU procedure, there are 35 negotiating chapters, according to which the European Commission first carries out an official screening of the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU norms. Of these, 33 chapters are grouped into six thematic clusters, while chapters 34 “Institutions” and 35 “Other issues” will be considered separately.
