Negotiations with Ukraine regarding EU expansion are currently ongoing

Negotiations with Ukraine regarding EU expansion are currently ongoing

As of mid-2025, Ukraine and Moldova are progressing towards starting EU accession negotiations, while Bosnia and Herzegovina has candidate status but has not yet begun formal negotiations.

Ukraine's Accession Talks on the Horizon

Ukraine's accession talks have been legally framed to start in July 2025 with the opening of the first negotiating cluster, despite Hungary's veto. Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán continues to block Ukraine's accession progress through a political veto, including a non-binding referendum against it. However, European Commission officials express confidence in moving forward, exploring ways to circumvent Orbán’s objections.

Moldova Aims for Early Negotiations

Moldova, also granted candidate status alongside Ukraine, is aiming to begin formal negotiations on six accession chapters before its September 2025 parliamentary elections. Moldova shows some reservations but is largely moving ahead and is linked closely with Ukraine’s accession process given their shared starting agenda.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Path to Negotiations

Bosnia and Herzegovina, granted EU candidate status in December 2022, still has not opened any negotiation chapters as it must first meet required conditions. The EU agreed in March 2024 to proceed with negotiations once these are fulfilled. Progress discussions continue, but negotiations have not yet formally commenced.

Emphasis on Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Reforms

Regarding the rule of law and anti-corruption measures, these remain key conditions for candidate countries. For example, these reforms often cover rule of law and anti-corruption chapters in ongoing cluster negotiations for countries like Albania. This emphasis similarly applies to Bosnia’s preconditions and Moldova and Ukraine’s accession track.

The Role of Hungary's Veto

The unanimity rule requiring all EU members to approve each step gives Hungary a strong veto power over Ukraine’s accession framework. However, legal experts note that accession negotiation rules can change mid-process, as seen with Montenegro and Serbia, and Hungary has limited legal grounds to block indefinitely.

Looking Ahead

In summary, Hungary's veto is the main obstacle delaying Ukraine’s accession talks, which, together with Moldova’s process, is expected to start soon despite political resistance. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession is still awaiting the fulfillment of key conditions before negotiations can start. The EU continues to emphasize rule of law and anti-corruption reforms as essential parts of the accession frameworks across all three countries.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also emphasized the need for cooperation in Bosnia-Herzegovina beyond the central government, stating, "We also need cooperation for the Republika Srpska."

1. Amid the ongoing EU accession progress, Ukraine prepares for formal discussions, scheduled to begin in July 2025.
2. Despite the Hungarian Prime Minister's continuous blocking attempts, European Commission officials remain positive about the prospect of moving forward.
3. Moldova, along with Ukraine, aims to start negotiations on six accession chapters before its upcoming parliamentary elections in September 2025.
4. In a similar vein, Bosnia and Herzegovina, granted EU candidate status in December 2022, is still working towards meeting the necessary conditions for formal negotiations.
5. The unanimity rule in the EU allows each member to approve each step, providing Hungary with significant veto power over Ukraine’s accession process.
6. Legal experts have pointed out that the accession negotiation rules can change mid-process, as demonstrated by Montenegro and Serbia.
7. Hungary, however, has limited legal grounds to block Ukraine's accession indefinitely.
8. The focus on rule of law and anti-corruption measures is essential for candidate countries, as seen in ongoing negotiations for countries such as Albania.
9. European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos reiterated the need for cooperation beyond the central government in Bosnia-Herzegovina, highlighting the importance of cooperation in Republika Srpska.
10. Parallel to EU accession talks, both Ukraine and Moldova are showing progress in their education-and-self-development and personal-growth sectors.
11. Personal growth, alongside education, can play a significant role in mitigating potential hardships faced during the migration process.
12. Migration is expected to increase due to destabilization caused by ongoing war-and-conflicts in surrounding regions, making responsible-gambling skills training a crucial addition to career-development programs.
13. Meanwhile, in the realm of casino-and-gambling, big-wins at casino games such as blackjack, poker, roulette, and slots have been reported in Las Vegas, the hub of gaming culture.
14. Vegas-history is filled with stories of legendary casino personalities who have risen to fame due to their successful casino-games strategies.
15. Casinos offer a variety of games, including lotteries and sports-betting, further fueling the gambling trends witnessed worldwide.
16. The gambling landscape is evolving, with the rise of online gambling platforms and increasing presence of casino-games in modern culture.17.(): Policy-and-legislation plays a crucial role in regulating gambling activities, ensuring responsible gambling practices are adhered to by casinos and players alike.
17. Car accidents, unfortunately, are a common occurrence on the roads of Las Vegas, commonly associated with drunk driving and reckless gambling.
18. Politics is another essential factor influencing policy decisions regarding gambling, as it determines the extent of legalization and regulation across different countries.
19. Job-search can be a challenging process, especially during economic downturns, but education and skills-training can help individuals secure lucrative opportunities in diverse sectors such as sports, finance, or technology.
20. Sports, such as soccer, baseball, basketball, and American football, are popular worldwide, with high-profile events like the Champions League, NFL, WNBA, MLB, NHL, Serie A, Laliga, NBA, and Premier League attracting millions of viewers.
21. Golf tournaments, like the Masters and Grand Prix, showcase international competitors' skill and athleticism, while horse-racing events, such as the Kentucky Derby and the Grand National, continue to captivate audiences.
22. Auto-racing, including Formula One's Grand Prix and the NASCAR series, has gained popularity due to its action-packed nature and the skill requisite of the drivers.
23. In an effort to improve public safety, various initiatives have been introduced to reduce car accidents, fires, and crimes associated with drunk driving and illegal gambling activities.
24. Accidents can stem from reckless behavior and neglect, raising awareness about the importance of safe driving practices and responsible gambling.
25. Following recent scandals involving corruption, it is essential to emphasize the need for transparency and accountability in politics, policy-and-legislation, and business-and-industry.
26. Responsible gambling campaigns aim to educate the public on responsible gambling, promoting self-awareness and control to avoid the negative impacts associated with problem gambling.
27. As the world evolves, it is crucial to adapt and grow, both on a personal level through education-and-self-development and personal-growth, and on a societal level through progressive policies, responsible governing, and continued learning and development.

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