EU to begin membership talks with Moldova, Ukraine next week
(VOVWORLD) - EU countries on Friday formally approved launching accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova next week, a landmark event for the two countries at the start of their long path towards joining the bloc. EU ministers will start negotiations first with Ukraine and then with Moldova in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
Ukraine, followed by its neighbour Moldova, lodged its application to join the EU shortly after Russia launched a special military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022.
The European Council told member states this month that Ukraine and Moldova had met all the criteria needed to launch the talks.
Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said that European Union countries are set to provide up to 60% of the 50 billion USD loan that the Group of Seven had previously committed to provide Ukraine.