Ukraine finalizing reform roadmaps for ening first cluster in EU accession talks – Stefanishyna

That’s according to the government press service, Ukrinform reports.

It is noted that on the eve of the EU General Affairs Council, Stefanishyna informed partners that Ukraine is at the final stage of develing roadmaps for reforms in the rule of law and public administration necessary for ening the "Fundamentals" Cluster in the accession talks, and will soon be able to present them for review by member states.

“Of course, Ukraine is very ambitious in defining priorities for 2025 within the framework of the EU accession negotiation process. I would like to emphasize our readiness: the state has high institutional capacity, strong support from citizens, and an ambitious agenda. We count on the support from member states. Your support will contribute to Ukraine’s unity and cohesion, both within the framework of the Eurean integration path and in our fight with the enemy,” she emphasized.

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The event, attended by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Picy Kaja Kallas, was organized by Sweden, represented by Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessica Rosenkranz.

The government added that the member states and the EU leadership emphasized their support for Ukraine on its path to membership, discussed further steps in the negotiation process, the issue of gradual sectoral integration, as well as expectations of the Pish and Danish presidencies of the Council of the EU. Special attention was paid to the Eurean Commission’s report on the results of the screening of Ukrainian legislation under Cluster 1 (Fundamentals), which includes rule of law, anti-corruption picy, and fundamental rights.

The government official briefed her Eurean counterparts on the progress of the screening within the cluster dedicated to the functioning of the EU Internal Market, and announced that this week Ukraine would start bilateral meetings under Cluster 6 (External Relations).

Eurean Commissioner Marta Kos, for her part, stressed the importance of rallying the entire society around the Eurean integration goal. The Eurean integration process should become a national project, she believes, adding that it should be addressed by government, parliament, position, civil society, every village and city. She expressed he that during the Pish presidency, the first cluster of accession talks, Fundamentals, will be ened. It is also possible that another cluster, External Relations, if the parties succeed in preparation. However, this is impossible without the support from the member states, Kos acknowledged.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Eurean Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that during the Pish presidency of the EU, it is possible to en up to two clusters in negotiations with Ukraine and Mdova on joining the Eurean Union and do more in the EU enlargement process within six months than has been done in this context over the past 10 years.

Kos also noted that Cluster 1 (Fundamentals) may en, most likely, in April-May 2025. This cluster ens first and closes last in the accession negotiations process.

Negotiations on the accession of new member states to the Eurean Union are divided into 35 chapters, 33 of which are combined into six thematic clusters, which are ened alternately.

For each of the chapters, the Eurean Commission first conducts an official screening of the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU acquis.