Europe

Ukraine: the EU opens the first chapter of accession negotiations

“This is a historic day for Ukraine and for Europe,” said Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for European Affairs, speaking on behalf of the EU Presidency. The EU is also opening the first negotiating chapter for Moldova’s accession

15 June 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The EU has officially launched accession negotiations with Ukraine. At today’s meeting in Luxembourg, the first cluster – the ‘Fundamentals’ cluster – was opened, a move that had long been blocked by opposition from Budapest.

“There are days that are hard to put into words. This is a historic day for Ukraine and for Europe. The opening of the first cluster marks a crucial and long-awaited milestone in Ukraine’s accession process and in the EU’s commitment to a united, peaceful and democratic continent,” said Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for European Affairs, speaking on behalf of the EU Presidency.

“No country has ever made such progress on its path to accession whilst simultaneously fighting off the most brutal Russian atrocities on its own territory. While Ukraine is gaining momentum on the battlefield, it is also paving the way for a prosperous and secure Ukraine within the EU,” echoed EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. “We are taking the most important step towards Ukraine’s EU accession since negotiations began in December 2023 and, if I may say so, this time no one had to leave the room for a coffee break,” she added, alluding to the decision by the then Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to leave the room during the December 2023 summit when the decision on launching EU accession negotiations with Kyiv was being taken. “As a next step, the Commission now expects the Council to proceed with the opening of the remaining five negotiating chapters before the summer,” Kos remarked.

The five clusters

The first cluster focuses specifically on the rule of law and fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform and economic criteria, and comprises five negotiating chapters: Chapter 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights, Chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security; Chapter 5 on public procurement, Chapter 18 on statistics; and Chapter 32 on financial control. Under the revised methodology, the cluster on fundamental rights is the first to be opened and the last to be closed.

Kallas: ‘The start of EU negotiations is a decisive step for Ukraine and Moldova’

‘Ukraine and Moldova are today taking a decisive step towards EU membership. The opening of the first chapters of EU accession negotiations marks a key milestone. Both countries have carried out challenging reforms under extraordinary circumstances. Their accession will strengthen Europe.” EU High Representative Kaja Kallas writes this in X.

“Montenegro,” he adds, “has consolidated its leading position in the EU accession process by closing another chapter of the negotiations. The future of Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro lies within the EU.”

Zelensky: ‘Europe’s progress cannot be stopped’

“What is happening today – the opening of the first cluster in the accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova – sends a clear message: Europe’s progress cannot be stopped.” This was stated in a video posted on X by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who will take part tomorrow in the G7 summit that has opened in Evian. “We have worked hard to reach this moment. In recent years, Ukraine and Moldova have taken important steps together. And it is particularly symbolic that I am speaking to you today from Chisinau, as I travel to France for the G7 summit. Our neighbourly ties with Moldova are strong. We support one another and are moving closer to the EU together – and together we will get there,” added Zelensky.

The EU launches the first negotiating track for Moldova’s accession

The EU has officially launched accession negotiations with Moldova. At today’s meeting in Luxembourg, the first cluster – the ‘Fundamentals’ cluster – was opened, which in turn comprises five negotiating chapters (the judiciary and fundamental rights; justice, freedom and security; public procurement; statistics; financial control). “The opening of the first cluster represents a significant milestone in Moldova’s European journey,” said Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for European Affairs, speaking on behalf of the EU Presidency at a press conference. “It is a moment of both political significance and a strong human dimension, because behind every reform, every legislative change and every milestone achieved lie determination, hard work and the aspirations of the Moldovan people.” “The formal opening of the first negotiation cluster represents an important step forward and takes Moldova to the next stage of its path towards EU accession,” emphasised EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. “Moldova is among the best-performing EU candidate countries. With today’s step, this will become even more evident,” she added, explaining that “the Commission now expects the Council to proceed with the opening of the remaining five negotiation clusters before the summer”.