European Commission finalizes proposals on draft negotiating framework for Ukraine

MOSCOW. March 13 (Interfax) - European Commission Executive Vice-President Maros Sefcovic has announced finalization of the European Commission's proposals on the draft negotiating framework for Kiev.

Sefcovic made the statement in Strasbourg on Tuesday after the European Commission's board meeting, Ukrainian media said.

"We have finalized proposals for draft Negotiating Frameworks for Ukraine and Moldova to be presented to the Council," Sefcovic said.

He added that the board had discussed the upcoming oral report to the Council on the progress made by Ukraine and Moldova in taking the steps envisaged by the Commission's enlargement report of November 8, 2023.

According to the European Commission's press release, "the negotiating frameworks establish the guidelines and principles for the accession negotiations with each candidate country. The draft frameworks prepared by the European Commission are divided into three parts: 1) principles governing the accession negotiations, 2) substance of the negotiations, and 3) negotiations procedure. The objective of the negotiations is that Ukraine and Moldova adopt the EU acquis in its entirety and ensure its full implementation and enforcement."

The European Commission also clarified its further actions. "It is now for the Council to begin their internal deliberations on these texts. Once the Council has adopted the negotiating frameworks, the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union will present the agreed-upon EU Common Position in the first inter-governmental conference with each country, marking the formal start of the accession negotiations. The negotiating frameworks will be made public at this stage," the press release said.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky thanked the European Commission and its president, Ursula von der Leyen, for finalizing proposals on the draft negotiating framework for Ukraine.

"This is a significant and timely step toward the practical start of Ukraine's EU accession talks. Our European choice is being put into action and the day of Ukraine joining the EU is getting closer," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying on a social network.