On July 14 in Brussels, an event occurred that Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos called a unique historical moment. For the first time in more than two decades, the European Union held a so-called "Super Tuesday" — a day when four intergovernmental conferences with candidate countries for EU membership started simultaneously. This became an important step in the process of European integration, especially for Ukraine and Moldova.
Opening Cluster 6: External Relations and Security
Marta Kos emphasized that for Ukraine and Moldova, the sixth negotiation cluster — "External Relations" — was opened. This step became a logical continuation of the already ongoing integration process. Earlier, on July 10, ambassadors of EU member states supported the opening of this cluster, which became the second after the key chapter "Fundamentals".
According to Kos's statement, the new cluster covers issues of cooperation in the field of defense and countering hybrid threats. The European Commissioner noted that both countries will contribute to the formation of the European security architecture, which is particularly relevant in current geopolitical conditions.
Montenegro's Progress: Closing 16 Chapters
Alongside Ukraine and Moldova, significant steps have also been made by Montenegro. During the intergovernmental conference, the country will close 16 negotiation chapters at once — from 18 to 33. This indicates a high level of the country's readiness for further integration into EU structures.
Partners' Reaction: Calls for Acceleration and Confidence in Support
Against the backdrop of these events, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called on the EU to accelerate the process of Ukraine's accession to the union. In his opinion, the bloc should immediately open all remaining negotiation clusters so as not to postpone the historical moment.
At the same time, the First Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Serhiy Kyslytsia, expressed confidence that Poland would not use its veto right to block Ukraine's European integration. This statement became an important signal of stability in relations between key partners in the enlargement process.
Significance of the Event: A New Stage of European Integration
The "Super Tuesday" of July 14 became not just a formal event, but a real breakthrough in the EU enlargement process. The simultaneous holding of four conferences demonstrates the European Union's readiness to move forward despite external challenges. For Ukraine and Moldova, this is an opportunity to consolidate their status as strategic partners and accelerate the path to full membership.
