European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that European Union member states have agreed to advance accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, boosting the countries' membership bids after two years of stalled progress.

Friday's agreement allows Ukraine and Moldova to formally open the first cluster of accession negotiations, known as "Fundamentals". #EuropeNews

The European Union will hold intergovernmental conferences with Ukraine and Moldova on 15 June, during which the first cluster of accession negotiations will be opened.

The European Union has agreed to open the first cluster of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday, marking a major step in the bloc's enlargement.