EU publishes requirements for Ukraine to close negotiations on 6th cluster

The European Union has published its common position on the criteria Ukraine must fulfil to close negotiations on cluster 6 External Relations of EU accession. Its opening is scheduled for 14 July.

Source: European Pravda

Details: The defining benchmark criteria for the future closure of negotiations on cluster 6 are as follows:

Under Chapter 30 External Relations:

• Ukraine must harmonise its legislation with the remaining provisions of EU Regulation 2021/821 on export controls for dual-use items, including adopted amendments, with the provisions of Regulation 2019/452 on the screening of foreign direct investments (FDI) and with the provisions of Regulation 2019/125 on the prevention of torture;
• Ukraine must submit to the European Commission an action plan with a full list of its international agreements with a view to bringing them into conformity with the EU acquis from the date of accession.

Under Chapter 31 Foreign, Security and Defence Policy:

• Ukraine must adopt a national strategy and action plan to counter the smuggling and illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives, define the responsibilities of national authorities in this area and the necessary steps with specific timeframes and their funding, and demonstrate "concrete progress" in their implementation.

Background:

• On 14 July, negotiating cluster 6 External Relations is to be opened for Ukraine and Moldova, following a decision agreed by EU ambassadors on 10 July. It is set to become the second negotiating cluster opened for Ukraine and Moldova after the key Fundamentals cluster.
• The timeframe for opening the remaining four clusters remains uncertain, in particular due to Hungary's position. Despite the optimism of Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, there is a significant probability of this process slipping to the period after the Brussels summer recess.

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