The European Union officially began accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, ten years after the EU signed association agreements with both states.
Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU began with the 2004 Orange Revolution, followed by the 2014 EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. Ukraine applied for EU membership on February 28, 2022, four days after Russia launched an invasion on the country.
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, representing Ukraine at the event, reaffirmed Kyiv’s commitment to the negotiations.
“Ukraine confirms its agreement to commence accession talks with the EU in line with the negotiation framework agreed upon by member states. We expect the negotiations to proceed smoothly and in good faith,” she said.
“Ukraine is committed to developing an action plan focusing on the rule of law, democratic institutions, and public administration reforms.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media and thanked everyone that is defending Ukraine.
He added that he is grateful “to the team that is doing everything to make us part of the European Union.”
Moldova’s EU membership journey began with the 2014 Moldova-EU Association Agreement. Moldova formally applied for EU membership on March 3, 2022.
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that the start of negotiations recognizes the efforts of Moldova's government and society to improve the lives of its citizens.
“Russia's brutal war in Ukraine has once again shown that a larger Europe means a safer, more peaceful, and more prosperous Europe,” he said.
“Together, we stand united for a peaceful and prosperous future,” Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said on social media.
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, representing Ukraine at the event, reaffirmed Kyiv’s commitment to the negotiations.
“Ukraine confirms its agreement to commence accession talks with the EU in line with the negotiation framework agreed upon by member states. We expect the negotiations to proceed smoothly and in good faith,” she said.
“Ukraine is committed to developing an action plan focusing on the rule of law, democratic institutions, and public administration reforms.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media and thanked everyone that is defending Ukraine.
He added that he is grateful “to the team that is doing everything to make us part of the European Union.”
On the same day, the EU also launched accession talks with Moldova.Today is a historic day as we proceed to actual, real negotiations with the European Union on Ukraine's membership. On February 28, 2022, just a few days after the full-scale invasion began, we signed the application for membership.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 25, 2024
Almost two years ago, in June 2022, we… pic.twitter.com/nHMQwR1acB
Moldova’s EU membership journey began with the 2014 Moldova-EU Association Agreement. Moldova formally applied for EU membership on March 3, 2022.
Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean said that the start of negotiations recognizes the efforts of Moldova's government and society to improve the lives of its citizens.
“Russia's brutal war in Ukraine has once again shown that a larger Europe means a safer, more peaceful, and more prosperous Europe,” he said.
“Together, we stand united for a peaceful and prosperous future,” Moldova’s President Maia Sandu said on social media.
The accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova began with an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, attended by European affairs ministers from member states.Congratulations to @ZelenskyyUa and the Ukrainian people on the formal launch of EU accession negotiations today.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) June 25, 2024
Together, we stand united for a peaceful and prosperous future.
Source: PAP, X
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