Kyiv is demonstrating its determination to accelerate the accession process to the European Union, declaring full technical readiness to launch all six negotiation clusters. The Ukrainian side intends not merely to formally begin the dialogue but to strive for its parallel advancement across all directions simultaneously.
Technical Readiness and Integration Strategy
This was stated by Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister, Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, while speaking with journalists. According to him, although current efforts are focused on the official opening of the first cluster, Kyiv does not plan to limit itself to just the first stage. The government is convinced that the country possesses the resources and competencies to handle all tracks simultaneously.
"Ukraine is ready to open all six Clusters. It is important for us to adhere to the methodology and move in parallel with the elaboration of the other five Clusters," Kachka emphasized.
Dialogue Format: Sequential or Parallel?
Despite Kyiv's readiness, the final format of the further dialogue remains a subject of discussion. The question of whether progress will occur sequentially from one block to another, or whether European partners will agree to the parallel consideration of all issues, has not yet been resolved.
As the official noted, final decisions are made by the member states of the European Union. "The question is whether we will move sequentially or in parallel. All decisions will be made by the member states of the European Union. And we are working with them," Kachka added.
Breakthrough in Relations with Hungary
A key factor influencing the dynamics of the negotiations has been the lifting of objections from Budapest. Earlier, the publication Politico named the date of an important EU decision regarding Ukraine, noting that a historic step is planned in the coming days. According to European diplomats, Hungary has indicated its readiness to lift its objections regarding Ukraine's membership application to the EU. This paves the way for launching the first negotiation cluster during the intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, scheduled for June 15.
Expectations for June
In Brussels, new progress is seen in the negotiations, thanks to which Kyiv could receive a powerful impetus as early as June. Positive dynamics and successful consultations with Hungary regarding the rights of the Hungarian national minority allow the European side to consider the possibility of opening not one, but two negotiation clusters at once.
On June 5, Ukraine confirmed an agreement with Hungary, the implementation of which is planned for the current year as part of a constructive dialogue. The basis for further work remains the Action Plan on National Minorities approved last year, which is part of Kyiv's commitments within the first negotiation Cluster "Fundamentals".