BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union countries formally agreed Friday to start accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova next week, another step in the two countries’ long journey to join the 27-nation bloc.
Belgium, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, said member states had agreed on a negotiating framework.
“This paves the way for the start of negotiations on Tuesday, June 25 in Luxembourg,” the Belgian presidency said.
Following a positive assessment by the EU executive, EU leaders already agreed to this last year that accession negotiations should begin with both countries. The process between the start of negotiations with Ukraine and neighboring Moldova and their joining the EU could take many years.
