The European Commission and Ukraine have established a joint task force to accelerate Kyiv's progress toward European Union membership, following Hungary's decision to lift its veto on opening further negotiating clusters. The task force, announced on Friday, will bring together EU and Ukrainian officials to help Ukraine complete the necessary reforms.
Earlier this week, EU member states agreed to open two additional negotiating clusters, leaving two more expected to be opened by the end of the year. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos highlighted Ukraine's significant progress, stating on X: "Ukraine is among the countries making most progress towards EU membership. Following the opening of two more negotiating clusters this week, I discussed the next steps with PM Serhii Koretskyi. We agreed to launch a joint Task Force."
Focus on fundamentals
The task force will concentrate on the so-called interim benchmarks—mid-process targets that a candidate must meet before it can begin closing negotiating chapters. It will work through outstanding requirements under the benchmarks on the fundamentals of accession, particularly rule of law and anti-corruption reforms.
Katarína Mathernová, the EU ambassador to Ukraine, told Euronews: "This is an important step to have a joint task force that will be meeting in fact twice a week over the next several months to really try to accelerate the work."
The initiative follows the model previously used for Montenegro and Moldova, according to a Commission official, and is intended to give Ukraine's accession process new momentum.
Hungary's veto lifted
Hungary's veto was lifted only after Kyiv agreed on an education law for the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia. The Ukrainian parliament passed the law with a broad majority, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly signed it. This development is seen as a positive sign for the political consensus needed to adopt the reforms required for EU membership.
The vote also raises hopes that Ukraine's political elite will maintain the broad unity necessary for the challenging reform agenda ahead. The task force is part of a broader effort to keep the accession process on track, with a roadmap and indicative timeline expected in a broader enlargement package due at the beginning of November.
Commissioner Kos emphasized the commitment to Ukraine's path, saying: "This step shows our commitment to supporting Ukraine’s path to EU membership. Our success will require unity and commitment from all involved Ukrainian partners."
Ukraine's accession process has been a central issue in EU politics, with recent high-level meetings between Hungarian and Ukrainian leaders reflecting efforts to mend ties. Meanwhile, the EU's stance on Ukraine has been tested by internal divisions, as seen in challenges from some political figures to maintain support.
As Ukraine continues its reforms, the task force will play a crucial role in ensuring that the country meets the stringent criteria for membership. The twice-weekly meetings signal a heightened level of engagement and a shared determination to move forward.
