Cyprus Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna vowed Friday to work hard to open remaining EU accession talk phases for Ukraine and Moldova [1].
This commitment comes as Cyprus concludes its rotating presidency of the EU Council, a period during which the island nation has sought to accelerate the integration of Eastern European partners into the bloc.
Raouna said the goal is to maintain the momentum established during the presidency to ensure the membership processes continue to move forward [1]. The effort focuses on the remaining phases of negotiations required for both nations to eventually join the European Union [2].
Earlier this month, the Cyprus EU Council Presidency announced that all 27 EU member states approved preparations to open the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova [3]. This unanimous support represents a critical procedural step in the enlargement process [3].
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha acknowledged these developments on June 4, thanking Cyprus for its efforts to advance the accession process [4]. The coordination between Nicosia and Kyiv has intensified as the likelihood of opening formal negotiations grows [4].
"We will work very hard to open the remaining phases of talks on Ukraine and Moldova's EU membership," Raouna said [1].
While the rotating presidency is a temporary administrative role, the diplomatic groundwork laid by Cyprus serves as a roadmap for subsequent presiding members. The focus remains on navigating the complex legal and political requirements that Ukraine and Moldova must meet to satisfy EU standards [2].
“"We will work very hard to open the remaining phases of talks on Ukraine and Moldova's EU membership."”
The commitment from Cyprus reflects a broader strategic shift within the European Union to integrate Ukraine and Moldova more rapidly in response to regional geopolitical instability. By securing unanimous approval from all 27 member states for the first cluster of negotiations, Cyprus has reduced the potential for individual state vetoes to stall the initial stages of the process, though the remaining phases will likely face more rigorous scrutiny regarding judicial and economic reforms.
