(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the European Union on Wednesday to initiate the “Fundamentals” cluster of accession negotiations, highlighting that Kyiv had completed its domestic evaluation of EU legislation more swiftly than any prior candidate.

“We did it well. We are fully ready to open Cluster 1 in the EU membership talks – the ‘Fundamentals’ cluster. We need real progress on this,” Zelenskyy declared on Telegram, noting that he had updated participants of the European Council on this matter.

He underscored that Ukraine’s efforts extend beyond its own interests, also encompassing Moldova, which “has once again clearly proven its European choice,” as well as the Western Balkan countries, which he asserted equally merit EU membership.

“Europe has to keep its promises – just as candidate countries do their part,” Zelenskyy stated, emphasizing that Ukraine anticipates tangible outcomes from the process.

Ukraine formally began accession negotiations with the EU in June, following its designation as a candidate in 2022 amid the conflict with Russia.

Moldova also holds candidate status, while several Western Balkan nations remain at various stages of the EU enlargement procedure.

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