EU advances membership talks for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro

During a General Affairs Council meeting, the European Union held accession conferences for Ukraine, Moldova, Albania, and Montenegro, marking a major step in the enlargement process. Officials described the event as a 'Super Tuesday' for expansion, noting that it was the largest single-day progress since 2004. Ukraine and Moldova formally opened Chapter 6, which covers external relations, common security and defense policy, trade, and humanitarian aid. For Albania and Montenegro, several negotiating chapters are set for temporary closure. Ukraine's progress was previously delayed by Hungarian vetoes, but political shifts have allowed for the opening of these sectors. Sources vary on the cause of the previous blockage, with reports citing both general policy disputes and specific concerns regarding the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. European Commissioner Marta Kos highlighted the event as a significant move under the current Irish presidency. This process follows the 2022 membership applications by Ukraine and Moldova amid the conflict with Russia.