EU Launches Historic Expansion Negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova
The European Union is preparing for expansion, which means it must undergo a process of reform. With the launch of accession negotiations with Moldova, Ukraine, and Montenegro, national governments are considering changes to the decision-making process within the union.
The heads of state and government are expected to reach an understanding. Today's meeting of foreign and European affairs ministers is nonetheless a historic one because it marks the beginning of the expansion process, claims the representative of the Belgian presidency.
"This is a very important and historic General Affairs Council. But I will return to that this afternoon. That is to say, we are opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova," said Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.
"We are officially beginning negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and for Estonia, it is indeed a historic day, as we joined the European Union 20 years ago. Expansion is for us a strategic and natural matter because we cannot have grey areas around the European Union," explained Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
"Both countries have made enormous progress in the areas of rule of law, anti-corruption, and press freedom. That is why we are beginning accession negotiations today. At the same time, we must start preparing the European Union for this expansion. That is why it is important for the European Council to finally address an ambitious agenda of union reform," said German Minister for Europe, Anna Luhrmann.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
