On October 13, 2026, in Luxembourg, during the fourth Intergovernmental Conference between Ukraine and the European Union, negotiations were officially opened on Cluster 2, "Internal Market," and Cluster 3, "Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth." These areas constitute the economic core of Ukraine's European integration process.

The two newly opened clusters cover a total of 17 negotiating chapters that regulate key issues in adapting the Ukrainian economy to the standards of the EU Single Market.

Specifically, Cluster 2, "Internal Market" (9 chapters), relates to the four fundamental EU freedoms: the free movement of goods, services, capital, and workers, as well as competition rules, the functioning of the financial sector, intellectual property protection, and consumer rights.

In turn, Cluster 3, "Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth" (8 chapters), covers digital transformation, taxation, social policy, enterprise and industrial policy, science, education, and the customs union.

Opening the conference, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Vsevolod Chentsov, emphasized the strategic importance of this stage: "For Ukraine, this marks a fundamental transition: from having access to the European market to preparing for full participation in it. Our ambition is to become an integral part of the Single Market, work by shared rules, enjoy the same freedoms, and contribute to its strength and competitiveness."

He also added that fulfilling the tasks within these clusters will facilitate the rebuilding of the Ukrainian economy, strengthen investor confidence, and enhance the country's long-term competitiveness.

During the event, Ukraine officially accepted the closing benchmarks for Clusters 2 and 3, confirming its readiness to align national legislation with EU law. At the same time, the Ukrainian delegation emphasized that transitional mechanisms might be necessary in certain areas, taking into account the consequences of Russian aggression and the need to preserve macroeconomic stability.

Background: Following this decision, four of the six negotiating clusters have now been opened for Ukraine. The Government's next priority remains opening Cluster 4, "Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity," and Cluster 5, "Resources, Agriculture and Cohesion," by the end of 2026. Ukraine has already fulfilled all the necessary prerequisites for this step.