European Union agrees to open new negotiation chapters with Ukraine and Moldova

Brussels, July 10 (KUNA) – European Council President António Costa announced on Friday that the ambassadors of the European Union member states had reached an agreement to open Chapter 31 of the accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. In a post on the social media platform X, Costa stated that “this step represents new progress bringing Ukraine and Moldova closer to EU membership,” affirming that the bloc would continue to support both countries’ accession process.

On her part, Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the EU, confirmed in a similar post that “all EU member states agreed today to open Chapter 31 with Ukraine and Moldova.” McEntee viewed these decisions as “clear evidence of the importance Ireland attaches to the EU’s enlargement policy during its presidency,” emphasizing the continued momentum in the European enlargement process.

Chapter 31 covers external relations and involves aligning the candidate countries’ policies with the EU’s Common Foreign, Security, and Trade Policy. It is one of the key negotiating chapters in the accession process to the bloc. (End) A.R.N. / A.B.K.