All EU member states have given their approval to begin preparations for opening the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, marking a significant step forward in both countries’ bids to join the bloc. The announcement was made by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union on X on Wednesday.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “The Cyprus Presidency initiated the preparation for the formal opening of Cluster One in the accession negotiations of Ukraine and Moldova,” the presidency wrote. It described the move as “a significant milestone” in the European integration paths of both countries and said it sends “a strong message of EU unity and determination.” According to the presidency, discussions within the Council will continue in the coming days to finalize the formal opening of the cluster. “The Cyprus Presidency, guided by the merit-based approach, is delivering on enlargement, which is a strategic priority and one of the European Union’s most transformative policies,” the statement said. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko welcomed the development, saying all EU member states had now backed the opening of Cluster 1 for both Ukraine and Moldova. “Fantastic news – all EU member states have given the green light to open Cluster 1 in accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova,” Svyrydenko wrote on X.