EU clears last hurdle to start talks on Ukraine and Moldova's accession

The Dutch parliament has voted to approve a framework for negotiations concerning Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the European Union, thus clearing the last remaining obstacle to the formal start of the talks. Source: European Pravda, with reference to Euractiv Details: The Dutch parliament's vote means that the EU has now taken all the necessary steps to hold an intergovernmental conference on 25 June, an event that marks the formal start of EU accession talks for Ukraine and  Moldova.

The new Dutch government, led by Dick Schoof, had previously stated that it supported the start of accession negotiations with both countries, but the decision required the formal approval of the country's parliament.

Background:

• On 14 June, permanent representatives of the European Union member states voted to approve a negotiating framework for Ukraine and Moldova's accession.
• Following the EU ambassadors' decision, an intergovernmental conference will be held on 25 June, as planned, marking the official start to negotiations on Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU.
• Hungary blocked the start of the accession talks, claiming that Ukraine was showing a lack of progress on national minorities.

  It lifted its veto after the EU assured it that its conditions would form part of the negotiation framework on the basis of which Ukraine's accession to the EU would be negotiated.

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