Ukraine opens two more EU negotiating clusters at Luxembourg conference
Internal market and competitiveness clusters — the two largest by coverage — were opened after Hungary lifted its veto; four of six clusters are now open.
At an intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg, Ukraine opened two additional negotiating clusters as part of its EU accession process, marking another step toward membership.
The clusters concern the internal market and competitiveness — described as the two largest negotiating clusters by the number of policy areas they cover. Their opening followed Hungary withdrawing its veto on Ukraine's progress.
More room to align legislation with EU rules
With the two new clusters opened, Ukraine now has four of the six total clusters in the accession process active. That status allows Kyiv to continue negotiations aimed at aligning national legislation with EU rules across those policy areas.
Officials caution, however, that opening clusters does not mean Ukraine has already met all conditions for membership; it only permits further steps in the negotiation and alignment process.
The move underscores continuing political momentum inside EU bodies to advance Ukraine's candidacy while the technical work of drafting and harmonising laws proceeds in parallel.
Photo: press material from the event
