EU prepares to open first negotiating cluster with Ukraine and Moldova on 15 June
The EU may officially open the first cluster in accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova on 15 June after Hungary signalled it would drop its long-standing opposition to Ukraine's membership bid.
Source: European Pravda, citing its sources; Politico
Details: The first negotiating cluster is set to be opened at an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg on 15 June, three diplomats told Politico.
Earlier media reports had mentioned 16 June as the date of the intergovernmental conference.
However, European Pravda's sources say that although the change of date from 16 to 15 June is being discussed, it has not been finalised. Another possible date is 18 June, in which case the conference could be held on the sidelines of the EU summit.
All of European Pravda's sources have confirmed that only the first cluster is expected to be opened at this stage.
Budapest had strongly opposed Ukraine's accession under former prime minister Viktor Orbán, but the country's new leadership has reportedly signalled willingness to lift its veto following a meeting between Ukrainian and Hungarian minority rights experts concerning the Hungarian community in Ukraine, the diplomats said on condition of anonymity.
A Hungarian official stated that "no decision" has yet been made regarding the opening of clusters for Ukraine. "Negotiations are ongoing. No agreement has been reached," the official said.
During a meeting on 1 June, the Ukrainian side provided assurances it will address most of the issues outlined in an 11-point plan originally prepared under Orbán, one diplomat noted. Not all of the Hungarian demands can be met immediately, but approval from Budapest is not dependent on the adoption of new Ukrainian legislation, the diplomat added.
Ukraine's EU membership negotiations gained momentum after Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar visited Brussels and met senior EU officials to discuss unlocking €16.4 billion in frozen EU funds, one diplomat said.
The diplomat added that EU ambassadors will finalise their position on opening the first cluster for Ukraine and Moldova by the end of this week, after Ukraine presents its plans on domestic reforms and minority issues.
Background: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on the EU to open all negotiating clusters for Ukraine in June.
Read more about the latest developments in Ukraine's EU accession talks.
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