Deputy PM on EU accession talks: after screening, Ukraine to move to “benchmark” stage

At the end of September, Ukraine will complete the final stage of the screening process in EU accession negotiations and move on to the “benchmark” stage — the setting of criteria for each chapter of the talks.

This was reported by Taras Kachka, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, in a comment to Ukrinform during a working visit to France.

“We basically have one chapter left on Monday–Tuesday. On September 29–30, we’ll hold the final screening session. After that, the key question is how to maintain the same fast pace of negotiations. Ideally, this would require a decision from all 27 member states, but at the moment Hungary maintains its special position. That’s why we are discussing here with our French colleagues how this issue can be resolved,” Kachka said.

According to him, once the screening sessions are completed, the European Union will provide screening reports. For example, a report on the fourth cluster is expected in a few days, and another on the fifth cluster in a few weeks.

“After that, on the Ukrainian side, we’ll form our negotiating position. The open question is how quickly the EU can finalize its own position, because de jure this can only happen after the opening of the first cluster — once all 27 member states vote on it,” Kachka noted.

The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the Ukrainian team is now working on how to move forward during the periods while waiting for unanimous agreement from all 27 member states.

“We need to keep up the pace and move forward. After the screening, the European Commission and member states will determine the ‘benchmarks’ — criteria for opening each negotiation chapter. Once they are defined, we can plan how to meet them. Then we’ll work with the European Commission on implementing measures and reporting on progress. Right now, we’re working with all member states to at least obtain all benchmarks for technical coordination,” he said.

As reported, Ukraine has reached the final stage of screening its legislation for compliance with EU standards, beginning discussions with the European Commission on the last cluster, covering resources, agriculture, and cohesion.