Ukraine and Moldova have achieved another milestone in their European Union accession processes. At a technical meeting on Friday, all 27 member states agreed to proceed with opening the sixth cluster of negotiations, which covers external relations, foreign policy, and security. The formal opening ceremony is expected on 14 July.
Hungary's Shift Unlocks Progress
The decision reflects a notable change in Hungary's position following the landslide election victory of Péter Magyar over Viktor Orbán. Orbán had previously blocked Ukraine's accession talks for years, citing a dispute over the treatment of the Hungarian minority in western Ukraine. Magyar's new government worked with Kyiv to resolve the issue, which led to the opening of the first cluster in early June.
Budapest had resisted pressure from the European Commission and Ukraine to unlock all remaining clusters before the summer break, citing domestic political reasons. However, the gradual approach championed by Ireland's presidency of the EU Council, which began on 1 July, has proven effective. Ireland proposed opening one cluster at a time, and Hungary agreed to the relatively less contentious external relations cluster.
The step agreed on Friday is a so-called screening letter, which formally concludes the analytical examination of Ukraine's and Moldova's laws against the EU legal framework. A letter of invitation is set to be endorsed at the next meeting of ambassadors on Wednesday as a non-discussion point, meaning it should pass without controversy.
The EU's common position to finalize the opening of cluster six is expected to be endorsed on Monday, 13 July, followed by a formal opening at an Intergovernmental Conference the following day.
This progress is part of a broader push to accelerate EU enlargement, with the European Commission and Ukraine keen to signal political will. However, challenges remain, as Hungary has not yet agreed to open all clusters. The situation is also influenced by ongoing security concerns, as Ukraine continues to urge faster air defense deliveries amid Russian strikes.
Moldova, meanwhile, faces its own political turbulence. Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu resigned after eight months, adding uncertainty to the country's reform trajectory. Nonetheless, the EU's decision to advance talks with both countries underscores a commitment to enlargement despite internal and external pressures.
The external relations cluster is seen as a strategic area, aligning candidate countries with EU foreign policy positions, including sanctions and diplomatic stances. For Ukraine, this is particularly relevant given its war with Russia, while Moldova has also faced Russian hybrid threats. The EU's move signals solidarity and a long-term vision for integrating these Eastern European partners.
