On June 15, the EU held a meeting in Luxembourg with Ukrainian representatives, initiating discussions on the first negotiation area, termed "fundamental institutions." This area focuses on key institutional reforms necessary for EU membership, including the rule of law, fundamental rights, judicial reform, public administration reform, and economic standards.
Ukraine applied for EU membership shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and was granted candidate status in June of the same year. The EU officially began membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in June 2024, but progress had been stalled due to opposition from Hungary.
The government of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, perceived as pro-Russian, had blocked negotiations, citing issues related to the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. However, following Orbán's ousting in April during Hungary's parliamentary elections, new Prime Minister Péter Márki-Zay reached an agreement with Ukraine on enhancing minority rights, breaking the deadlock.
As a result, Ukraine has entered the first substantive phase of EU membership negotiations, which had been stalled for nearly two years. Taras Kachka, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, described the start of negotiations as a "true moment of crossing the Rubicon."
However, it is expected that actual membership will take considerable time. Candidate countries must align their national laws and systems with EU standards across six areas, including the rule of law, security, environment, and agriculture, encompassing 35 specific criteria. Final membership requires the unanimous consent of all 27 existing EU member states.
On the same day, the EU also began the first stage of membership negotiations with Moldova, which has faced pressure from Russia.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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