The Ukrainian government is optimistic about advancing its European Union accession negotiations, with Vice Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka expressing hopes to soon open all six negotiation clusters. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Kachka emphasized the absence of current obstacles to this process, although he refrained from providing specific timelines.
Kachka noted, “I hope this (opening of negotiation clusters) will happen quickly, although with Brussels, you can never be sure, so no one is naming specific dates. However, we do not see any barriers at this moment. We will see what happens next. Our task is to focus on closing chapters. I hope that this year we will hear that certain chapters can be considered closed.”
This development could pave the way for broader integration into the EU’s internal market next year. Kachka suggested that if progress continues, all chapters might be closed within the next year, potentially leading to discussions about an accession treaty.
The Vice Prime Minister also expressed anticipation for future interactions with Hungary’s incoming government, while observing its communications with Brussels, which he described as encouraging. He does not foresee issues arising from the situation of Hungarian minorities in Transcarpathia affecting relations with Hungary’s new administration, labeling such discussions as “absolutely natural with all neighbors.”
On April 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to engage with European leaders regarding the opening of negotiation clusters for Ukraine.
Since June 2022, Ukraine has held official candidate status for EU membership. The accession negotiations are structured into six thematic clusters encompassing 35 chapters of EU legislation. Each cluster’s formal opening or closure requires unanimous agreement from all EU member states.
Hungary has been a significant obstacle in the official opening of negotiation clusters, as it has not consented to the relevant decision by the EU Council.
President Zelensky has indicated that a clear timeline for Ukraine’s EU membership is crucial for potential peace negotiations with Russia, asserting that without it, Russian President Vladimir Putin may attempt to hinder Ukraine’s EU accession process.
Following Hungary’s parliamentary elections, Peter Madyar, leader of the Tisza party, stated that Hungary opposes expedited EU membership for Ukraine, linking the normalization of relations with Kyiv to the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine.
Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister has expressed optimism about advancing EU accession negotiations, highlighting the absence of current obstacles. However, Hungary's position remains a significant hurdle in the process.
Source: Radio Svoboda