Ukraine and the European Union officially open accession negotiations under Cluster 6: External Relations

On 14 July, the Third Intergovernmental Conference between Ukraine and the European Union took place in Brussels, Belgium, where Ukraine and the EU officially opened accession negotiations under Cluster 6: External Relations.

The cluster covers the EU’s common trade policy, foreign policy, and security and defence. Amid russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, this cluster is of particular importance, as Ukraine is already making a significant contribution to Europe’s security.

The Ukrainian delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s Chief Negotiator. The delegation also included Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis, Director General of the Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Oleksandr Ilkov, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community Vsevolod Chentsov, and other officials.

“By opening the External Relations Cluster today, we once again reaffirm our commitment to the full implementation of the EU acquis covered by this cluster, and we will continue along this path with the same determination that has brought us here. We will continue to build and strengthen Europe together. Our goal has never changed. Ukraine’s future is in the European Union, and Europe’s future will be stronger with Ukraine,” Taras Kachka said.

Cluster 6 comprises Chapter 30 – External Relations and Chapter 31 – Foreign, Security and Defence Policy.

Chapter 30 covers the EU’s common commercial policy and external economic relations, including export controls, investment protection, economic security, and humanitarian policy. Meeting the accession benchmarks under this chapter will enable Ukraine to operate under the same international trade rules as EU Member States and further integrate Ukrainian businesses into the EU Single Market.

Chapter 31 covers participation in the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It includes EU standards in security and defence, defence planning, participation in European defence initiatives, countering hybrid threats, crisis management, arms control, and combating illicit arms trafficking.

The Deputy Prime Minister also confirmed that Ukraine accepts the benchmarks established for Cluster 6. Ukraine accepts the EU acquis covered by the cluster and is committed to ensuring its full implementation by the date of accession.

“Ukraine is not requesting any special adaptations, transitional measures or transition periods for any of the chapters or benchmarks under the External Relations Cluster. This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the accession process and our determination to fully align our policies and standards with those of the European Union. Even under the extraordinary circumstances of russia’s ongoing war of aggression, we continue to advance reforms and fulfil our accession commitments,” Taras Kachka said.

He also presented the main elements of Ukraine’s negotiating position for Cluster 6.

Following the conference, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos stated that Ukraine’s progress towards EU membership reflects the country’s extensive reform efforts, which continue despite the full-scale war, and that Ukraine’s future membership will strengthen the European Union’s security, economic potential, and resilience.

Background

An Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) is the formal framework for accession negotiations between an EU candidate country and the EU Member States. It serves as the official forum for discussing and agreeing the terms of a future accession treaty. The frequency of IGCs depends on the candidate country’s progress in meeting accession requirements and decisions taken by the EU Member States.

On 15 June 2026, the Second Intergovernmental Conference between Ukraine and the EU was held in Luxembourg, where accession negotiations were officially opened under Cluster 1: Fundamentals. This is the most important negotiating cluster, covering fundamental reforms in the rule of law, democratic institutions, public administration, anti-corruption, and the protection of fundamental rights. Progress under Cluster 1 determines the overall pace of accession negotiations and is a prerequisite for opening and closing the remaining negotiating clusters.