The European Union foreign ministers celebrated this Monday the start of the first block of negotiation chapters for the accession of Ukraine and Moldova, although they made their differences clear on the timetable, conditions, and general approach to the enlargement process.
The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, stressed upon arrival that "it is clear" that the opening of negotiations with Kyiv and Chisinau "has taken too long" due to the blockade of the Hungarian veto. In this context, he reiterated his support for both partners to accompany them in the "very demanding and difficult work" involved in preparing their entry into the EU.
The head of German diplomacy, Johann Wadephul, representing a country that advocates for a faster incorporation of candidates, stressed that the process must continue to be governed by the principle of merit and supported the opening of talks, although he warned that Ukraine must address "important reforms".
His Austrian counterpart, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, advocated for shortening the accession deadlines. "If we analyze it, it is very long, very bureaucratic, and has an infinity of points where unanimity is needed. I don't think it's sensible, and other states don't think so either," she criticized, warning that the EU would enter a "self-paralysis" if it turned this process into one that lasted between 10 and 20 years.
The Baltic countries call for accelerating enlargement
The Lithuanian minister, Kestutis Budrys, spoke in the same vein, arguing that enlargement must gain momentum and suggesting that the EU should be in a position to integrate new member states "before 2030," understanding that it is above all a political decision and that "additional obstacles" should not be imposed.
The Estonian official, Margus Tsahkna, also called for enlargement not to be halted. After welcoming the opening of the first negotiation groups after years of blockade, he insisted that it is a "political decision" that must move forward "now that (Viktor) Orbán is no longer there."
The Latvian Foreign Minister, Baiba Braze, proposed seeking "special status" for Ukraine in order to speed up its accession. "We are absolutely flexible on that," she assured, advocating for mechanisms that would allow Ukraine to approach the functioning of the EU and participate more closely in its structures before fully completing the accession process.
Broad political support for Ukraine and Moldova's accession
The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has described the opening of chapters as "good news" and a gesture of support from the EU towards Ukraine and Moldova, expressing his confidence that both will eventually be integrated into the "European family."
The Romanian minister, Oana-Silvia Toiu, has spoken in the same vein, expressing certainty about the advantages for the EU in supporting Ukraine "on its European path." She applauded the opening of the first group of chapters and called for "accelerated work during the summer" to be able to open the remaining negotiation blocks.
The Finnish minister, Elina Valtonen, has remarked that the EU must strengthen its decision-making capacity if it aspires to gain geopolitical weight and has argued that the reform process in candidate countries "is essential" to ensure adequate levels of democracy and transparency.
Her Irish counterpart, Helen McEntee, whose country will assume the presidency of the Council of the EU from July, has announced that, once in charge, they will work to ensure that Ukraine and Moldova open all groups of chapters "as quickly as possible" and to support "the necessary reforms."
Hungary warns that there will be no shortcuts in enlargement
The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Orbán, has made Ukraine's progress in the accession process conditional on the fulfillment of an agreement on the protection of national minority rights, especially the Hungarian minority in Ukrainian territory, which she considers an essential condition for integration.
"For Hungary, the fulfillment and implementation of this agreement constitute a fundamental condition in Ukraine's European integration process," she stated, adding that they also support Moldova's candidacy now that its country "returns with a renewed commitment to the common European future."
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, has recalled that the path to accession is "demanding and long," although he has expressed satisfaction with the steps taken and reiterated that candidates remain "welcome" in the EU, "even if they still have homework to do."
His Swedish colleague, Maria Malmer Stenergard, has supported the full opening of negotiation groups "because Ukraine deserves it", but has stressed that the process must remain merit-based and that the objective must be full accession, without intermediate paths. "There should be no special treatment," she concluded.
Meanwhile, Poland's Foreign Minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, has underlined that the start of negotiations with Ukraine represents a "destination point" in the relationship with the EU, by offering Kyiv a clear perspective on its European future.