The European Commission is set to recommend starting EU accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova in June, aiming to initiate the process before Hungary assumes the EU presidency, according to the Financial Times.
According to three informed sources from the publication, the European Commission insists that formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova begin this month to send a positive signal to both countries.
The Financial Times reports that the European Commission will announce its decision regarding the recommendation to start negotiations today, June 7. The Commission will declare that Ukraine meets previously unmet criteria, including anti-corruption measures, restrictions on political lobbying, asset declaration rules for public officials, and protection of languages used by national minorities.
The Commission's recommendation requires a unanimous decision from all 27 European Union countries. Hungary is expected to oppose the move, citing alleged violations of the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
From July 1, Hungary will hold the EU presidency, providing it with additional leverage. Therefore, Belgium, the current EU president, hopes to conduct the first round of accession talks on June 25.
Ukraine's path to EU membership
During the full-scale war, Ukraine was granted candidate status for EU membership. Last December, EU leaders supported opening accession negotiations with Ukraine. However, Ukraine continues to meet the EU's requirements and recommendations.
Notably, a process was initiated to screen Ukrainian legislation for compliance with European laws. According to the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, the first stage of the legislative screening has been completed.