Ireland wants the opening of all negotiating groups for Ukraine's accession to the EU

Ireland, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, aims to open all the remaining negotiating clusters for Ukraine’s accession to the EU by the end of its term, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne said in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

The statement was made after the fourth intergovernmental conference on Ukraine’s accession. The Irish official noted that some member states still have objections and requests that need to be resolved, but the Irish presidency will continue discussions with Ukraine, the European Commission and European governments.

The EU opened negotiating clusters 2 and 3 on Tuesday, after the decision was approved by all 27 member states. Cluster 2 covers the internal market, free movement, competition, financial services and consumer protection. Cluster 3 includes competitiveness, taxation, economic policy, industry, education, research and customs.

The process had been blocked for several months by Hungary, which opposed opening these clusters four times. The deadlock was broken after Ukraine adopted a law on minority education, requested by Budapest.

In total, the negotiations comprise 33 chapters, organized into six clusters. After the opening of clusters 2 and 3, clusters 4, concerning the green agenda and sustainable connectivity, and 5, dedicated to agriculture, resources and cohesion, remain. Ukraine hopes these will be opened by the end of the year, but agriculture and access for Ukrainian products to the European market remain sensitive issues.

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