Less than a month after opening their very first cluster of accession negotiation chapters on ‘fundamentals’ (see EUROPE 13889/29), Ukraine and Moldova opened a new cluster on Tuesday 14 July, covering ‘external relations’ (cluster 6).
Speaking to the press, Irish Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne welcomed the continuation of the momentum on the candidacies after a long period of standstill. He called on Ukraine and Moldova to continue their reforms. The two countries would, however, have liked all clusters to be opened in July.
Cluster 6 defines the parameters for aligning candidate countries’ international, trade and defence policies with those of the EU. According to European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, this cluster concerns “what it means to be a Member State: taking on responsibilities linked to the EU’s role on the world stage”.
It comprises two chapters. Chapter 30, ‘External Relations’, concerns the EU’s common commercial policy, humanitarian aid and development cooperation, and requires alignment with EU trade legislation, its international commitments and related foreign policy positions.
Chapter 31, ‘Foreign, Security and Defence Policy’, notably highlights the alignment of the candidate country with the EU’s foreign policy positions, its political statements, its sanctions and its restrictive measures.
The EU has also set benchmarks for the future provisional closure of these chapters.
In addition, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be in Ukraine on Wednesday. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)