Ukraine and Moldova have Fulfilled All the Necessary Conditions for the Start of EU Accession Negotiations

The European Commission has concluded that Ukraine and Moldova have taken all the necessary steps to start negotiations on EU accession. This was stated by the European Commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero at a briefing in Brussels, Ukrinform reports.

According to the spokesperson, the European Commission today informed the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU at the level of ambassadors (Coreper) about the progress made by Ukraine and Moldova in fulfilling the conditions for the start of intergovernmental negotiations on EU accession.

"An item on the accession process of Moldova and Ukraine was on the Coreper agenda today. On behalf of the European Commission, we provided updated information in this regard. We believe that all the necessary steps have been taken by both countries... Now the decision is in the hands of the member states, which have to adopt the framework conditions for negotiations. As soon as this decision is made, it is the prerogative of the EU Council Presidency to convene an intergovernmental conference to formally mark the start of negotiations,’ the EC spokesperson said.

In particular, according to her, Ukraine has adopted legislation to increase the level of funding for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau, removed from the legislation on corruption prevention provisions limiting the NACP's powers to extend the verification of assets under verification and reducing its powers to verify property included in the income declarations of candidates for public office.

The Ukrainian side has also revitalised its lobbying legislation, bringing it into line with European standards in terms of implementing an action plan to limit the influence of oligarchs.

In addition, Ukraine has taken the necessary steps to improve its legislation on the protection of minority rights, in particular with regard to education in minority languages.

‘In this context, the implementation of this legislation is very important, and the European Commission will monitor it as part of regular reports on enlargement,’ the spokesperson said.

She also noted that Moldova continues to implement the three recommendations of the European Commission as part of its preparations for EU accession, in particular in improving the judiciary and the rule of law, and is making ‘significant progress’.

As reported, on 14 December 2023, the European Council decided to start membership negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also granted candidate country status to Georgia. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova expressed hope that negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on EU accession would begin in late June.