The EU officially starts negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on June 25

EU countries have officially approved the start of membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova next week. This is a landmark event for both countries at the beginning of their long road to joining the bloc, AFP reported.
EU ministers will start negotiations first with Ukraine and then with Moldova in Luxembourg on June 25.
The start of negotiations, however, would only put the two former Soviet republics at the beginning of what is likely to be a years-long reform process before they finally become members.
In December 2023, EU leaders took the key step by agreeing to start negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova to join the club.
Earlier in June, the European Commission told member states that the two countries had met all the criteria needed to start negotiations.
Pressure to start negotiations has increased amid concerns that Hungary, which takes over the EU presidency, could block Ukraine's accession.
Budapest has said it does not intend to hold new rounds of talks with Kiev during its six-month presidency. | BGNES