The European Union has opened accession negotiations with Ukraine on two major policy clusters, marking another step in Kyiv's long-term effort to join the bloc.
The newly launched negotiations (13 October) cover the “Internal Market” and “Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth” clusters, areas that encompass a broad range of policies including the free movement of goods, services, workers and capital, as well as competition policy, taxation, education, employment, digital transformation and economic governance.
The move follows the opening of talks on the EU's external relations cluster in July and represents the latest stage in Ukraine's alignment with European standards and legislation.
The step forward came about after Hungary dropped its objections. The Hungarian government backed the move after Ukraine's parliament passed legislation on Monday (12 October) expanding the rights of Hungarian speakers and other minorities to receive education in their native language.
Speaking on the development, Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne described the opening of the clusters as a significant moment in the accession process.
“We have today reached another milestone on Ukraine's EU membership journey.”
Byrne said Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, remained committed to advancing Ukraine's membership bid.
As part of the process, the EU also established benchmarks that Ukraine must meet before the chapters can be provisionally closed. Progress will be assessed throughout the negotiations as Kyiv works to align its legislation, regulations and institutions with EU rules.
The accession framework requires candidate countries to meet extensive political, legal and economic criteria before membership can be approved by all member states.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the decision, describing it as another advance in the country's integration with Europe.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone who fights for Ukraine and works in the interests of our state, for its European future, and for Europe's security. Together, we are a stronger Europe.”
In a message posted on X, Zelenskyy thanked EU leaders and member states for their backing and called on the bloc to open the two remaining accession negotiating clusters before the end of the year.
The latest development comes as Ukraine seeks to maintain momentum in its membership campaign, with Brussels and Kyiv continuing talks on reforms aimed at bringing the country closer to eventual EU membership.
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