The European Union has agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova, marking a significant step forward in the enlargement process, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

Axar.az reports, in a post on X, von der Leyen said all EU member states had reached agreement on the move ahead of an upcoming intergovernmental conference.

“Today, the European Union took a major step forward,” she wrote. “All Member States agreed to open the first accession negotiations cluster with Ukraine and Moldova.”

She said the first cluster to be opened will focus on core democratic and institutional standards.

“At the first Intergovernmental Conference on Monday, we will open the cluster on fundamentals; the backbone of the accession process,” von der Leyen said.

“It covers the core values and principles on which the EU is built, from the rule of law to strong democratic institutions,” she added.

Von der Leyen described the decision as recognition of both countries’ reform efforts under difficult conditions.

“This is a recognition of the determination, courage and hard work shown by both countries in advancing reforms, even in the face of immense challenges,” she said.

She also framed the decision as a broader strategic step for the bloc.

“Enlargement is a strategic choice,” she wrote. “By bringing our nations closer together, we strengthen peace, security and prosperity across our continent.”

“In a world marked by growing uncertainty, a larger European Union is in our common interest,” she added. “Enlargement remains one of the EU’s greatest success stories and our best investment in our shared future.”