EU leaders will discuss opening negotiation clusters with Moldova and Ukraine on December 18
European officials have reaffirmed their support for the enlargement of the European Union, highlighting the significance of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in advancing through the accession process. These remarks were made in anticipation of the General Affairs Council of the European Union, scheduled for November 17 in Brussels.
During the recent meeting of the General Affairs Council, which includes ministers of foreign and European affairs, one key topic discussed was the future multiannual budget of the European Union. The agenda for the upcoming European Council, scheduled for December 18, was also addressed.
This meeting on December 18 represents the last opportunity this year for EU leaders to reach an agreement on initiating the first clusters of accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
At the beginning of the meeting, several officials in European Affairs expressed their support for opening accession negotiations with both the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. They emphasized the importance of implementing fundamental reforms in the areas of the rule of law and the judiciary to advance the enlargement process.
“Croatia is among those strongly advocating for progress for Ukraine and Moldova. It is critical that we maintain a merit-based approach, as this is the only way for enlargement to be fully successful for both the candidate countries and the European Union,” stated Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, State Secretary at the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
“Enlargement must be merit-based, relying on reforms in the rule of law, markets, and the justice system. The Commission has made it clear that both Ukraine and Moldova have completed their necessary preparations to qualify for the opening of the first cluster. That is why France supports initiating talks with Moldova and Ukraine. However, I regret that this process is currently stalled due to bilateral issues with Hungary,” added Benjamin Haddad, France’s Minister for European Affairs.
It is important to note that Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu of the Republic of Moldova arrived in Brussels on June 17. He is scheduled to meet with several EU officials, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
Moreover, the Prime Minister and government members will participate in the first forum organized by Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, which focuses on the enlargement of the Union. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu will also attend the European Business Summit.
"I have many meetings scheduled for tomorrow, including with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa, Kaja Kallas, and Marta Kos. Of course, no visit to Brussels would be complete without a meeting with the Romanian MEPs, who represent our interests not only in the European institutions but also across all EU capitals. I am also looking forward to my first discussion with our diaspora, of which I was a part until recently. Our message will be clear everywhere: Moldova has demonstrated through concrete actions that it is capable and ready to fulfill all necessary commitments to become a European state and contribute to the European economy and security," declared Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.
Additionally, today, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov is expected to be in Brussels. During a discussion platform organized by the Center for European Policies in collaboration with the "Moldova-European Union" Club, she will engage with Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the Directorate for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood of the European Union, and Romanian MEP Siegfried Mureșan, to discuss the progress and challenges facing the Republic of Moldova on its path to European integration.
