The European Union is set to begin the first phase of formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on Monday after member states approved the negotiating framework and cleared the remaining obstacles to the process.

Cyprus, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, announced that member states had agreed on the common position for the opening stage of the talks, completing the necessary preparations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the move, describing it as significant political and moral support for Ukraine and its people, while stressing that Kyiv had fulfilled all required conditions.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu also praised the decision, reaffirming her country’s commitment to continuing reforms as part of its European integration path.

The EU officially opened accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in June 2024. However, Hungarian objections delayed the launch of the first negotiating stage with Kyiv. Progress became possible following recent political changes in Hungary that helped remove the remaining hurdles.