Ukraine expects the European Union to approve the opening of two additional groups of accession negotiations on Tuesday, October 13, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said following talks with his Hungarian counterpart in Luxembourg.
Sybiha expressed that expectation on Monday after meeting Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbán. The anticipated decision would concern the second and third negotiating clusters, extending the scope of Ukraine’s membership talks.
The two clusters cover the Internal Market and Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth. Sybiha had previously thanked Hungary for supporting the EU’s negotiating positions on both areas, describing the development as another step forward in Ukraine’s accession process.
The diplomatic progress follows Ukraine’s parliament passing legislation on Monday to strengthen minority rights. The issue has been a longstanding source of tension between Kyiv and Budapest and an obstacle to advancing the negotiations. Diplomats cited by Euronews expect Hungary to approve the opening of the two clusters on Tuesday.
If confirmed, the decision would allow negotiations to proceed across additional policy areas. It would represent progress toward membership, rather than approval for Ukraine to join the bloc.
The announcement remains an expectation expressed by Ukraine’s foreign minister. A formal European decision is still required before the two negotiating clusters can be described as opened.
