EU, Chisinau open negotiations on first cluster as part of Moldova's accession to EU

BRUSSELS. June 16 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union announced on Monday evening that the EU and Moldova have "reached a significant milestone" with the opening of the first accession negotiations cluster, the Fundamentals cluster.

"We are encouraged by the substantial progress achieved and look forward to further supporting Moldova as it continues advancing on its European path, bringing it ever closer to its goal of EU membership and the opportunities it will create for its citizens," Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, which holds the rotating Council of the EU presidency, said.

The Fundamentals EU accession negotiations cluster includes the most critical components of the EU acquis related to the rule of law and fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions, the public administration reform, and economic criteria.

Negotiations on the Fundamentals cluster are the first ones to be opened and the last ones to be closed in the process of a candidate country's accession to the EU.

"Progress under this cluster will determine the overall pace of negotiations," the Council of the EU said.