Ukraine opens Cluster 6 in EU accession talks

At today’s intergovernmental conference on Ukraine’s accession to the EU, Cluster 6 (External Relations) was officially opened in the accession negotiations.

Thomas Byrne, the Minister of State for European Affairs in the Republic of Ireland, spoke at a joint press conference alongside the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Taras Kachka, and European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos. He expressed his pleasure in announcing the opening of Cluster 6, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

He acknowledged Ukraine’s achievements in implementing reforms during wartime, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to the path toward EU accession and to European values.

Byrne said that Ukraine is an important part of the European family, and EU countries look forward to welcoming it.

He also called on the EU to offer Ukraine not only hope but also realistic prospects for EU membership.

“I would like to express my special gratitude to the Irish and Cypriot presidencies,” said Kachka, also thanking European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for her work in advancing Ukraine’s European integration process.

Kachka emphasized that unity is particularly important within the framework of the EU’s common security and defense policy, and Ukraine understands this well.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that, regarding the implementation of the “Kos-Kachka Plan,” certain reforms take time, but their implementation is necessary to begin concluding the negotiation clusters.

As reported, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic integration Taras Kachka stated that despite somewhat higher expectations regarding the number of clusters in the accession negotiations—which are officially open as of today—Ukraine is generally satisfied with the pace of the EU accession process and is committed to continuing reforms, including after a change in government.

Photo: Chat GPT