The European Commission notes that Ukraine has made progress in fulfilling the criteria for membership in the European Union and hopes to open cluster talks as soon as possible in 2025.

This assessment is contained in the annual Enlargement Package approved by the European Commission on Wednesday.

"Following the first intergovernmental conference in June 2024, the analytical examination of the acquis (the screening) is progressing smoothly. Following Ukraine’s ratification of Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court further steps should be pursued to ensure the full alignment of its domestic legislation. The steady increase of Ukraine’s alignment with the EU common foreign and security policy positions and restrictive measures is a clear sign of political commitment and should continue. Subject to Ukraine meeting all the conditions, the Commission is looking forward to the opening of negotiations on clusters, starting with the fundamentals, as soon as possible in 2025," according to the conclusion and recommendations of the Enlargement Package regarding Ukraine.

The Commission noted that the European Council's decision of December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine was "an important recognition of Ukraine’s determination to pursue, despite Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, reforms on the path of EU accession."

It noted that Ukraine "continued to foster integrity and meritocracy in the judicial system as well as to strengthen the anti-corruption institutional framework and build an enforcement track record in high-level corruption cases." "Ukraine has also overhauled its legislation on the protection of rights of persons belonging to national minorities. The martial law related restrictions of fundamental rights remain overall proportionate," according to the conclusion and recommendations of the Enlargement Package regarding Ukraine.

In addition, it is noted that the authorities have made progress in implementing important reforms within the Ukraine Plan.

"Despite progress on fundamental reforms, further efforts are needed. Ukraine should continue focusing on building further a credible enforcement track record in high-level corruption cases to address systemic corruption in most relevant sectors and institutions, and consolidate integrity, professionalism, and efficiency in the judiciary and in the law enforcement sector, while also stepping up the fight against organised crime," the European Commission said.

"Protection of fundamental rights needs to be further strengthened, implementation of the amended legislation on the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in close cooperation with national minority representatives has to be continued and public administration reform and the decentralisation reform should advance. Measures to support repair and rebuilding of infrastructure will be key for full recovery of the economy, especially in the energy sector which needs to be further decentralised with its governance improved," the European Commission said.