Ukraine expects to open all EU negotiation clusters in summer

Ukraine aims to decide on opening all six European Union negotiation clusters in June–July this year, and the plan is currently realistic and practical, according to Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

He said at present, there is a plan to hold a second meeting of the intergovernmental commission, a Ukraine–EU conference, and to open the first cluster on Monday, June 15, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

“This allows the EU to begin preparations for a decision on opening the remaining five clusters literally the next day. Accordingly, the intention to take all decisions on all clusters in June–July this year is currently realistic and practical,” he noted.

In his view, after four rounds of consideration of the issue, there is now an understanding that the EU has reached unanimity on opening the clusters.

“We have received confirmation from all member states (regarding support for opening the first cluster), but this does not mean that the situation cannot change quickly,” he added.

Kachka stressed that opening the clusters marks the beginning of the final stage of EU accession, which will focus on adopting all necessary legislation.

He made it clear that around 100 draft laws are currently pending in parliament and called for accelerating and supporting their adoption.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov