Klympush-Tsintsadze Predicts Challenging Negotiation Process with the EU for Membership

In a recent interview with the Ukrinform agency, Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, the head of the Ukrainian Parliament's Committee on European Integration, shared her thoughts on the future negotiations concerning Ukraine's accession to the European Union. She emphasized that although there is a prevailing opinion within the EU about the inevitability and irreversibility of Ukraine's membership, there are also skeptics among member states who do not believe that the accession process will be straightforward and without obstacles.

Klympush-Tsintsadze highlighted that not all EU countries actively support Ukraine's membership, which means that Ukraine will have to face challenging discussions regarding various sectors, reforms, and transformations that will need to be implemented. She pointed out that representatives from the agricultural sector in countries like Belgium and France are already beginning to express concerns about what the situation will look like when Ukraine becomes part of the European Union.

Furthermore, Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized the importance of the 'Foundations' cluster, which encompasses issues related to the rule of law, the balance of power, and the functioning of democratic institutions. She stressed that these aspects are fundamental for any country to become a full-fledged member of the EU. 'These matters are critically important for our accession,' she added.

Additionally, the committee chair noted that the objective concerns of EU member states regarding Ukraine's accession could be manipulated by Russian adversaries. 'We must be aware that any expressions of concern can lead to demonstrations, sharp statements, or actions. Therefore, we need not only to engage in dialogue with European institutions and do our homework but also to actively communicate with individual EU member states,' Klympush-Tsintsadze emphasized.

It is important to recall that Ukraine has already received from the European Union the conditions for accession across all major negotiation clusters. Among them are: 1 'Foundations of the EU Accession Process', 2 'Internal Market', 3 'Competitiveness and Inclusive Development', 4 'Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity', 5 'Resources, Agriculture, and Cohesion Policy', and 6 'External Relations'. However, the official opening of these clusters is currently blocked by Hungary.

Thus, the process of Ukraine's accession to the European Union promises to be complex and will require efforts from the Ukrainian authorities to overcome existing obstacles and secure support from EU member states. It is crucial for Ukraine to continue working on fulfilling the conditions set forth by the European Union and to actively engage with European partners.