Ukraine and Moldova open the first phase of negotiations on joining the European Union in Luxembourg on Monday, ending a two-year political deadlock driven by the former Hungarian government’s opposition to opening talks with Kyiv.
“It is a historic milestone for my country,” Moldova’s deputy Prime Minister, Cristina Gherasimov, told Euronews on Monday. “This is also a strong signal for us that the EU is also getting ready to receive new member states.”
Describing the talks as the “biggest step” in Ukraine and Moldova’s accession bid since they were granted candidate status in 2023, the EU’s enlargement chief Marta Kos told reporters on Monday she was “positive” both countries could sustain the momentum and open the remaining five phases – known as “clusters” – of talks next month.
Both countries submitted their EU membership applications following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and EU leaders unanimously agreed in June 2024 to open accession negotiations with both Kyiv and Chisinau.
But Hungary’s former premier Viktor Orbán then scuppered progress by vetoing talks with Ukraine citing concerns over the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region. Kyiv and Chisinau have been “coupled” in their accession bids, meaning Hungary’s veto on Ukraine also indirectly held back Moldova’s progress.
