On Wednesday 29 May, Member States’ ambassadors to the EU discussed for the first time the negotiation frameworks for Ukraine’s and Moldova’s accession process.
According to a European source, almost all the Member States have given their support for an agreement on the frameworks in the next few days and for the two Intergovernmental Conferences to be held before the end of June. Almost all the reservations that the States had are thought to have been lifted “with the aim of moving forward quickly”, the source added.
Another diplomat said that around 20 countries could accept the framework as it stood, but that some countries were highlighting minor technical points, which he believed could be resolved.
One Member State – Hungary – would like to see a few more elements in the Ukrainian framework before giving its agreement, according to the first source. Budapest is said to have asked for major changes or additions, notably concerning the rights of national minorities, trade, the fight against corruption, agriculture, the internal market and good neighbourly relations.
Discussions will continue at expert level on the basis of the guidance received. The ambassadors are expected to return to the subject in the next two weeks, “in the hope of reaching a consensus”, the source added. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)