Ukraine prepares to start negotiations with the EU on the first integration cluster — First Deputy Speaker Oleksandr Korniienko
First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniienko announced the successful completion of screening sessions on the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with European Union standards. Thirty-two chapters of legislation and six clusters covering key areas of Ukraine's integration into the EU were reviewed.
According to the First Deputy Speaker, almost 200 MPs were involved in the screening process, both online and in person in Brussels. «For the first time since the last wave of EU enlargement, the country's parliament is directly involved in the negotiation process. In particular, as First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, I am a member of the national negotiating group, and more than 100 MPs are members of working groups on accession. With the support and assistance of Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, we are able to consolidate our efforts and take confident steps towards our country's full membership in the European family,» Oleksandr Korniienko emphasised.
He noted that the presence of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in the negotiation process allows us to inform European representatives in detail about Ukrainian legislation, why certain norms have been adopted, as well as to defend and preserve a number of positions. Parliamentary participation also makes it possible to implement European practices into national legislation more quickly, because thanks to their active participation in working groups, MPs have studied the necessary issues in depth and have the expertise needed to make decisions.
«We expect negotiations on the first cluster to begin shortly. United by a common goal and ready for challenges, we are working to reach the final stage as soon as possible, when we will hear that Ukraine has been granted EU membership status!» said the First Deputy Speaker. He also noted that despite the political positions of some European Union member states, Ukraine will continue to work hard to bring our country closer to joining the European integration community.