EU ambassadors have cleared the way for formal accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. Hungary ends its blockade after an agreement on minority rights. The Ukrainian government views this as an important step.
The 27 EU ambassadors launched the process to open the first negotiation cluster with both countries. This followed an agreement between Hungary and Ukraine on the rights of the Hungarian minority. The deal includes restoring a school system for ethnic minorities. Around 100,000 Hungarians in Ukraine will be allowed to use their mother tongue in class and take exams in Hungarian. Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said his country would consent to opening the cluster but would not support an accelerated procedure. A referendum on accession remains possible. Ukrainian Prime Minister Julia Swyrydenko called the development great news. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos and Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee also welcomed the signal of closer EU ties.
