EU opens another 2 clusters in accession negotiations with Moldova

BRUSSELS. Oct 14 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union announced on Tuesday evening the opening of another two clusters in accession negotiations with Moldova.

"Today, we have taken another step forward on Moldova's EU accession path. Less than three months after the opening of negotiations on external relations policies, the decision taken today reflects the importance that the Irish presidency places on EU enlargement. We will spare no effort until the end of our term in working to open the remaining clusters," Thomas Byrne, minister of state for European affairs and defense of Ireland, which currently holds the Council of EU presidency, said.

Negotiations have been opened in the internal market and competitiveness and inclusive growth clusters.

Clusters are core thematic groupings within the EU's accession negotiation framework setting the parameters for how candidate countries align with the EU acquis in these fields.

Four of the six clusters are now open in the accession talks with Moldova. The fundamentals and external relations clusters were opened earlier.

The clusters yet to open in the accession negotiations with Moldova are the green agenda and sustainable connectivity and the resources, agriculture and cohesion clusters.