EUROPEAN Union countries formally approved today the launch of accession negotiations with war-torn Ukraine and Moldova next week, another step in the two nations’ long journey to join the 27-nation bloc.

Belgium, which currently holds the presidency of the European Union, said member states have agreed on a negotiating framework.

“This opens the way for launching the negotiations on Tuesday June 25 in Luxembourg,” the Belgian presidency said. Talks will be launched with two intergovernmental conferences.