The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU presided over the 2nd EU-Ukraine Accession Conference and the formal opening of the first cluster of accession negotiations, which Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna described as “a milestone of historic significance” for Ukraine’s European path.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday evening following the conclusion of the EU-Ukraine Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, Raouna stressed that the opening of Cluster 1 “concerns the values that lie at the very heart of the European Union: democracy, the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, accountable institutions, and good governance.”
“Today is a milestone day. There are some days that are hard to put into words,” Raouna said, noting that the decision reflects the EU’s “unwavering support” for Ukraine and the conviction that “Ukraine’s future lies within the European family.”
The Cyprus Presidency, she underlined, approaches enlargement from a unique perspective. “In Cyprus you see a member state that is itself a victim of invasion and ongoing occupation,” she said, stressing that the Presidency had brought “this unique understanding of the devastating consequences of the violation of territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.” Referring to the attacks on Ukraine the previous night, the Deputy Minister expressed “full solidarity” with the Ukrainian people.
On the road ahead, Raouna acknowledged that “the path ahead remains demanding and much work remains to be done,” adding however that “every step matters, every reform matters.”
“Today, as we open this new chapter in Ukraine’s accession journey, we reaffirm a simple but powerful message: Europe stands firmly with Ukraine. Europe remains united,” she concluded.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos described the day as a “mega Monday,” noting that “everyone had been waiting for this moment for a long time.” She called it “the single biggest step towards Ukraine’s EU membership since opening negotiations in December 2023,” adding pointedly that this time “no one had to leave the room for a coffee break” – a reference to former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s withdrawal from the table of 27 to allow unanimity to be reached.
Kos also expressed hope that the remaining negotiating clusters would be opened in July, hinting that a possible date had already been agreed. “We could have a terrific Tuesday in July,” she said.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka thanked the Commission and the Cyprus Presidency for their “leading role” in securing unanimity among all 27 member states. “This is truly a Rubicon, a milestone,” he said, adding that “European integration is the dream of the entire Ukrainian society.”