Council of EU begins technical preparations to open Clusters 2-6 for Ukraine and Moldova
The Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession to the EU (COELA), which consists of experts from all 27 EU member states, has begun reviewing the screening results for all unopened clusters for Ukraine and Moldova (Clusters 2-6) on 17 June, formally launching preparations for their opening.
Source: three European diplomats and an EU official familiar with the process, speaking on condition of anonymity to European Pravda
Details: COELA began reviewing the screening results for Clusters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 for Ukraine and Moldova on the morning of 17 June, the sources said.
This marked the start of official technical preparations to open the clusters and for discussions among diplomats from EU member states.
The next step will be an assessment of the screening results and their formal approval by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the European Union (COREPER). Discussions could begin as early as next week.
The COELA and COREPER working bodies must also discuss and approve the EU's Common Position for each cluster, including the list of reforms that need to be implemented. This will signify that a cluster is ready to be opened.
Background:
- According to European Pravda, EU member states have already informally agreed on 14 July as the date for the opening of the five remaining clusters in Ukraine's accession negotiations.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after speaking with G7 leaders in France that for now, "no one sees" any obstacles to all clusters being opened in the EU accession talks.
- On 15 June, during the second Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, the EU officially announced the launch of negotiations with Kyiv under the first negotiating cluster, formally opening Ukraine's accession talks with the EU.
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