The opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova under the first negotiation cluster marks a historic step forward, a group of Members of the European Parliament has said.
According to Ukrinform, the joint statement was signed by David McAllister, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Pekka Toveri, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee; Siegfried Mureșan, Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee; Michael Gahler, Committee on Foreign Affairs' Standing Rapporteur on Ukraine; and Sven Mikser, Committee on Foreign Affairs' Standing Rapporteur on Moldova.
"We warmly welcome the opening of accession negotiations on Cluster 1 – Fundamental Values with Ukraine and Moldova and the respective Intergovernmental Conferences taking place. This marks a new stage in the EU path of the two candidate countries after a unanimous decision by the EU Member States," the lawmakers stated.
They emphasized that Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova have demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience in advancing their reform agendas, and that today's decision is "a well-deserved recognition of that commitment and of the great progress already achieved through technical negotiations."
