Raouna: Monday's EU Intergovernmental Conferences with Ukraine and Moldova in Luxembourg mark a significant milestone in the two candidate countries' accession path to the European Union, under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said in a written statement. The conferences mark the formal opening of the first negotiating cluster, on Fundamentals, the statement adds.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Raouna said the development reaffirms the EU's strategic commitment to the enlargement process, adding that the Cyprus Presidency worked 'diligently and intensively' to complete discussions within the Council and convene the Intergovernmental Conferences. Since the start of the Cyprus Presidency last January, she said, the necessary consultations were advanced and the relevant processes coordinated, leading to the formal opening of the first cluster, in full compliance with the enlargement methodology.
The opening of the first cluster takes Ukraine and Moldova 'from political vision to commitment and implementation' of the process that will bring them closer to the European family, Raouna emphasized. EU enlargement, she added, is both a strategic investment and a necessity, as it contributes to security and stability at a time of geopolitical upheaval.
Raouna also stated that the Cyprus Presidency remains committed to the enlargement process and has worked to deliver tangible results for all candidate countries, on the basis of the merit-based principle. The 27th EU-Montenegro Intergovernmental Conference is also taking place in Luxembourg on Monday, under the Cyprus Presidency, for the provisional closure of two more negotiating chapters. Raouna noted that Montenegro remains the frontrunner in the enlargement process, recalling that, under the Cyprus Presidency, agreement was reached to begin work on drafting its Accession Treaty to the EU.