Ukraine has fulfilled all of the EC’s recommendations that are required to approve the negotiating framework for EU accesion,

said Prime Minister for Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna. She added that the last legislative act was approved on Monday, which was necessary to complete the implementation of lobbying recommendations.

“The EC must first approve the report on our fulfillment of the additional criteria and decide whether to provide us with a negotiating framework for member states to approve,” she said.

Stefanishyna added that Ukraine has “moderately optimistic forecasts.”

Politico writes that the EC is expected to present the negotiating framework for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, but its approval may be delayed for several more months. European diplomats warn that agreement by all 27 European capitals, necessary for the formal start of negotiations, will likely be possible only after the European elections in June.

In addition, some countries want to avoid Ukraine and Moldova overtaking Bosnia and Herzegovina on the path to EU membership.