Ukraine plans to open first cluster of negotiations with EU in April – Stefanishyna
Ukraine plans to open the first cluster of negotiations with the European Union in April 2025 during the Polish presidency.
This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna, Censor.NET reports citing Radio Liberty.
According to the official, Ukraine will be ready to open two more clusters in June. The rest - three more - by the end of 2025.
"In April, we can open negotiations on the first cluster. And by June, we will be ready to open negotiations on two more clusters. And accordingly, under the Danish presidency (in the second half of 2025 - ed.), we can also open three more clusters. That is, (to open - ed.) all of them," Stefanishyna said.
According to her, Ukraine's priority is the Fundamentals cluster, which deals with the rule of law, government transparency, and the quality of democratic institutions.
"The fundamental cluster is actually the most important for us, because I think it structures and unites the state very well around the key directions in which the country will move in terms of governance, functioning of institutions, and anti-corruption policy," the Vice Prime Minister explained.
She added that another cluster currently under discussion is the internal market.
"If the first cluster is the soul of our future membership, then the internal market is its body, without which you can rush to the European Union with your soul, but not with your feet. Therefore, the first and second clusters are very important for us. The Polish presidency also proposed to open negotiations on foreign security policy, which also includes trade policy. We have already held talks on it," the official summarized.
