EU Launches Membership Talks with Ukraine

The European Union officially launched the accession process for Ukraine and Moldova on Monday, June 10, 2024. Ambassadors from the EU's 27 member nations reached this decision during a meeting in Luxembourg on Friday, June 9th. This marks the first phase of negotiations for both countries.

The process involves completing negotiations in 35 policy areas, ranging from agriculture to trade. Both Kyiv and Chisinau view EU membership as additional security against Russian aggression. Ukraine sees this step as an important 'security guarantee' for a stable future once the war with Russia ends.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked the EU leaders for advancing membership talks via Telegram, stating that Ukraine is carrying out what is necessary and it is important that the EU is also keeping its word. Moldovan President Maia Sandu told Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, that her country has done the necessary work for membership talks.

The decision follows Hungary's agreement last week to drop its veto, allowing the accession process to resume. The first phase of negotiations covers issues such as the judiciary, functioning of democratic institutions, and public procurement. Taras Kachka described the start of negotiations as a 'Rubicon' moment and stated that all Ukrainian society believes joining the EU is their dream.

The European Union also agreed on June 12, 2024, to restrict the circumstances in which it can suspend its carbon emissions fee on imports. According to Reuters, a draft of the ministers' agreement said the Commission could propose suspending the carbon fee only if criteria are met, including that the price of the product concerned had increased by more than 50% over six months.

The EU agreed stronger measures to control prices in its new carbon market early on June 10, 2024. If the cost of permits in the new carbon market exceeds €45 per tonne of CO2, then 40 million permits will be released into the market from a 'stability reserve' to regulate supply.

The Guardian reports that as Britain approaches the 10th anniversary of its vote to leave the EU, discussions about rejoining have begun. However, these debates often overlook what other European nations think or care about. The UK's Treasury minister Lord Livermore recently endorsed rejoining the EU, stating it is in Britain's national economic interest.

The Guardian also highlights that the EU has several countries interested in membership besides Ukraine and Moldova, including Montenegro, Iceland, and Norway. There are mixed feelings within the EU about welcoming Britain back, with some seeing the UK as a 'security provider' but not necessarily a full member again.