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European Union member states have unanimously agreed to open the sixth negotiating cluster in Ukraine’s EU accession talks, marking another step forward in Kyiv’s membership process.
The decision was approved by EU ambassadors during a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER II) in Brussels, according to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
“Today all EU member states agreed to open Cluster 6 for Ukraine and Moldova,” the Irish Presidency said.
Cluster 6, titled “External Relations,” covers foreign and security policy, defense, trade, humanitarian assistance, and development cooperation.
European Council President António Costa welcomed the decision, calling it “another step closer to the European Union for Ukraine and Moldova.”
“Our determination to support Ukraine’s and Moldova’s path to the EU remains firm,” Costa said.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said the decision allows Ukraine to move to the practical stage of negotiations under the new chapter.
She noted that Ukraine’s alignment with EU foreign and security policy decisions has reached 98%, according to the assessment submitted to the European Commission.
“This level of alignment demonstrates Ukraine’s readiness to move forward with negotiations in the field of external relations,” Svyrydenko said.
She thanked EU member states for their continued support and expressed hope that the cluster will be formally opened during an Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels on July 14.
The opening of Cluster 6 follows last month’s launch of negotiations under Cluster 1, “Fundamentals,” as Ukraine continues its accession process toward full EU membership.
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