Commissioner Kos calls launch of Ukraine's accession talks "long-awaited step for EU"

Sergiy Sydorenko, Tetyana Oliynyk — 15 June, 21:40

Ukrainian and EU flags. Stock photo: Getty Images

European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has said she considers the decision to launch accession negotiations with Ukraine a long-awaited and highly significant step for the European Union.

Source: Kos at a briefing following the formal opening of the first negotiating cluster, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kos stressed that the decision had been adopted unanimously and there had been no repeat of the events of 2023, when then-Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán stepped out to "get a coffee" during the vote.

Kos noted that this time no one had needed to leave the room for a coffee break.

She also emphasised that the decision had been eagerly anticipated by all EU member states, adding that everyone had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Kos further expressed hope that Ukraine would open all the remaining negotiating clusters in July and hinted that a potential date has already been agreed.

Describing the day as a "mega-Monday" for her, she said she is hoping for a similarly incredible Tuesday in July when further progress is achieved.

Background:

Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka also said that he sees no risk of Ukraine's path towards EU membership being blocked again.
On Monday 15 June, the European Union officially announced the launch of negotiations with Kyiv under the first negotiating cluster.

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