EU begins preparations for membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova

The European Union has begun formal preparations for opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, marking another step in the two countries’ efforts to join the bloc. Russia’s TASS news agency reported that Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, announced the start of work aimed at launching the first phase of membership talks. According to the report, Cyprus pledged to continue consultations among EU member states in the coming days to finalize discussions on opening the negotiations. The first round of accession talks could begin on June 15 during an intergovernmental conference on EU enlargement in Luxembourg. The negotiations are designed to align the laws, regulations and institutions of candidate countries with European Union standards and legislation, a process that typically takes years to complete. Ukraine and Moldova were granted EU candidate status after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a move widely seen as a political signal of support from Brussels for both countries. EU leaders have repeatedly emphasized that enlargement remains a strategic priority, particularly in Eastern Europe, where the bloc is seeking to strengthen stability, democratic institutions and economic integration in the face of growing security challenges. Ukraine continues to pursue closer ties with the EU while fighting a war against Russia. European officials have argued that progress on reforms and accession talks can help support Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction and integration with Europe. Moldova, which has also faced political and economic pressure linked to the regional security environment, has accelerated reforms in recent years as it seeks deeper integration with the European Union and eventual membership. The post EU begins preparations for membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova appeared first on Khaama Press.