EU set to fast-track Ukraine accession talks, says Commissioner

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos called on EU member states to officially open all negotiation clusters related to Ukraine’s accession to the European Union “as soon as possible.” 

She made the remarks ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

“I call on all member states to officially open all clusters as soon as possible,” Kos told journalists.

Negotiations on all six clusters have already been progressing at the technical level, despite the official decision being blocked previously by Hungary, under the former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The European Commission anticipates a shift in Ukraine’s favor following Orbán’s electoral defeat and the rise of his opponent, Péter Magyar, as Hungary’s new prime minister.

Kos expressed confidence that the first cluster could be formally opened during Cyprus’ EU presidency, which runs from January 1 to June 30. “As for the remaining five clusters, we hope that we can manage this in July. We have already done a lot, and now everything is ready for the official opening,” she said.

On Hungary’s position, Kos said she has received an encouraging signal from Prime Minister Magyar. “I see the most positive message from the new Prime Minister Péter Magyar, as he said that all candidate countries will be treated equally,” she added.

By Vafa Guliyeva