Ukraine has officially started accession negotiations with the EU

On Tuesday, 25 June, the first Intergovernmental Conference between Ukraine and the EU took place in Luxembourg, marking the start of actual negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union.

The Ukrainian delegation was led by Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, who was the chief negotiator. The Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal addressed the conference via video link.

“Today is a historic day. A historic moment for both Ukraine and the EU. For Ukrainians, the European Union is about values and hope. Thousands of Ukrainians gave their lives for an independent and European Ukraine. I bow my head to the memory of the fallen Ukrainian heroes. I bow my head in gratitude to the Ukrainian military for making this day possible, for enabling Ukraine to start this negotiation process that will ultimately lead us to EU membership,” said Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal. “We are ready for it. We have demonstrated that we can move quickly and achieve the impossible. Today’s event clearly demonstrates this.”

The EU side was represented by Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Belgium, and Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

“On behalf of the European Union, I am delighted to welcome the distinguished representatives of Ukraine to the opening of accession negotiations of your country with the European Union. This is a historic moment for all of us, marking a milestone in our relationships. We recall that the European Council of June 2022 recognised your European perspective, stated that the future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union, and decided to grant you a candidate status,” said Hadja Lahbib in the EU’s opening statement.

Ukraine’s opening statement was delivered by Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna: “The start of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU is a historic moment for Ukrainians, as the European choice has been one of the main unifying factors since Ukraine’s independence,” she said. “Ukraine sees the accession process as a tool for transformation and adaptation to the standards required of all EU members, as well as for increasing the overall efficiency and competitiveness of both the EU and Ukraine at the international level. The accession process is a catalyst for significant economic and political reforms in Ukraine.”

She stressed that Ukraine was ready to adapt EU legislation in full and to create effective administrative and judicial capacities for its full implementation.

Following the opening statements, EU member states presented their positions and comments.

The broadcast of the first EU-Ukraine Intergovernmental Conference is available here.