Koretsky and Kos: speed EU benchmarks and open remaining clusters
PM Serhiy Koretsky discussed with Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos interim accession benchmarks, the IBAR Task Force and financial support; the Commission’s enlargement report is due this week.
What they discussed
Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky spoke on 2 November with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. He said they discussed speeding up interim benchmarks in accession talks and opening the remaining negotiation clusters.
They also covered international financial support and progress under IMF and Ukraine Facility programmes. The European Commission’s annual enlargement report is expected this week.
IBAR Task Force
Koretsky highlighted the joint IBAR Task Force with the Commission, set up by agreement between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Its main job now is to accelerate interim criteria under Cluster 1 “Fundamentals,” a condition for further progress after clusters open. MPs and the Presidential Office are being involved.
Cluster context
As of early November 2026 Ukraine had opened four of six negotiation clusters, two of them on 13 October. Media reported that Hungary blocked approval of screening results for Cluster 4 (green agenda, transport, energy, environment) and Cluster 5 (agriculture and budgetary provisions).
Why it matters
The Fundamentals cluster sets the pace for the whole process. Faster benchmarks and pressure to open the two blocked clusters are central markers of EU integration while war financing remains urgent.
Sources
This is an original short summary. All facts are as reported by the source below.
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