European Union leaders, noting Ukraine’s fulfillment of the conditions for opening negotiation clusters on EU accession, did not take the relevant decision due to Hungary’s position.
This follows from a statement on the conclusions agreed upon by 26 EU member states, except Hungary, following the consideration of the Ukrainian issue at the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
“The European Council reaffirms the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s path to EU membership and welcomes the significant progress Ukraine has made so far under the most difficult circumstances,” the statement on the conclusions says.
In this regard, the European Council called on Ukraine, the Council, and the Commission to continue working on the accession process in accordance with a merit-based approach.
“The fundamental issues cluster will be opened first and closed last, and the clusters will be opened after the conditions have been met, in accordance with the enlargement methodology. The European Council takes note of the Commission’s assessment that the fundamental issues, internal market, and external relations clusters are ready to be opened,” the statement said.
The European Council will return to this issue at its next meeting.
