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Ukraine Completes Key EU Screening Process, But Hungary Blocks First Negotiation Cluster
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![Photo of Maryna Kulakova]( "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
Ukraine completed a bilateral screening process with the European Commission, a key milestone in its EU membership bid, according to European Commission's Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood department on September 30.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, visiting Ukraine for three days starting September 29, praised the country for completing the screening “at record speed” despite the challenges posed by Russia's ongoing aggression.
“Achieving this in the midst of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a remarkable demonstration of the country’s resilience and determination,” the European Commission's Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood department said in a statement.
“The screening process shows that accession negotiations are a whole-of-society exercise. It involves the entire public administration, with topics ranging from food safety standards, clean water or support to farmers being discussed. It is a key part of EU accession negotiations, and its successful conclusion brings Ukraine one step closer to EU accession.“
The screening results will now form the foundation for further accession talks, with the European Commission set to present them to member states to open individual negotiation clusters.
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While this marks significant progress, the opening of the first cluster remains blocked by Hungary.
Launched in July 2024, the EU accession process involved reviewing Ukraine’s compliance across six negotiation clusters. The European Commission recommended starting talks with Ukraine and Moldova in November 2023, and the European Council approved it a month later. Cluster 1, focused on the rule of law and democratic institutions, is traditionally opened first.
Despite Ukraine's formal accession launch in June 2024, Hungary has blocked Cluster 1's opening.
Previously, it was reported that Denmark is actively working on mechanisms to advance Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations despite Hungary’s ongoing obstruction of opening negotiation clusters, Minister for European Affairs of Denmark, Marie Bjerre, said during a European Council meeting in Brussels on September 16.
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