EU opens doors to Ukraine and Moldova: first phase of talks starts June 15

Negotiations will cover rule of law and democratic institutions. The decision was called "determination, courage and hard work." The agreement requires consent from all 27 EU member states. The process typically takes many years.

As reported by CCTV+, the European Union (EU) agreed on June 12 to begin the first phase of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova starting June 15, marking a small step forward in the bloc's latest enlargement process. In joint statements by European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, all EU member states agreed on the first stage of the screening process for the two candidate countries. The talks, which officially begin on June 15, cover key EU criteria including rule of law and democratic institutions.

The statement said that the decision to open negotiations reflects the determination, courage and hard work of both countries in advancing reforms in the face of enormous challenges. The two EU leaders stated that enlargement is a strategic choice for the bloc, and that amid growing global uncertainty, a larger EU serves the common interests of all Europeans.

Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022, and Ukraine in February of the same year. Both countries received candidate status in June 2022.

Separately, it is worth noting that Turkey, which applied for EU membership as early as 1987 and received candidate status in 1999, has been in a prolonged negotiation process since 2005. However, talks with Turkey have repeatedly stalled due to disagreements over human rights, rule of law, the Cyprus issue, and economic criteria. In recent years, the process has effectively been frozen. Unlike Ukraine and Moldova, which received political momentum against the backdrop of a geopolitical crisis, Turkish membership remains one of the most contentious topics in the history of EU enlargement.

Launching the talks with Ukraine and Moldova requires the consent of all 27 EU member states. The process usually takes many years.

The EU accession process covers 35 negotiating chapters, each requiring approval from all 27 member states. Turkey has opened 16 chapters, but only one has been closed. Turkey applied in 1987 and became a candidate in 1999; negotiations began in 2005. Several generations of politicians have come and gone, yet Turkey remains on the doorstep. Ukraine and Moldova started their journey in 2022 and have already received the green light for the first stage. Geopolitics accelerates processes that once took decades. But a fast start does not guarantee a finish. As the EU expands eastward, Turkey's long standing application reminds us that time flows differently for different countries in politics. And the philosophical question — "who is next?" — remains open.