BRUSSELS — The European Union (EU) will officially open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova in Luxembourg on Tuesday.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, described the negotiations as the "threshold of a significant and transformative moment" for both the EU and the two countries. "The path ahead will be challenging but full of opportunities," von der Leyen said on the social media platform X.

Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022, while Ukraine applied in February of the same year. Both countries were granted candidate status in June 2022

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Moldovan President Maia Sandu expressed optimism about the future by saying on X, "Our future is within the European family."

Janos Boka, Hungary's minister for EU affairs, offered a cautious note. Speaking to reporters at the doorstep of the General Affairs Council meeting, Boka commented on the progress of Ukraine's accession efforts, "It's very difficult to say at what stage Ukraine is. From what I see here as we speak, they are very far from meeting the accession criteria."

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Moldova applied for EU membership in March 2022, while Ukraine applied in February of the same year. Both countries were granted candidate status in June 2022. In December last year, EU leaders agreed to open membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova.