European Commission in talks with Kyiv on exceptions for Ukraine's agricultural sector when it joins EU

European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has said the EU may define specific features of Ukraine's membership in the course of accession talks on the opening of the last remaining cluster, which deals with agricultural issues.

Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, who was presenting a draft of new approaches to enlargement, said provisions may be agreed on for Ukraine that differ from those for other candidate countries.

"For Ukraine, the scale, structure and very high productivity of the agriculture sector calls for… targeted arrangements for sensitive agricultural products only," Kos said.

Kos stressed that she does not consider this to be a separate type of membership, even though the conditions being proposed for Ukraine will be unique. Ukraine will be part of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, but the specific terms of the arrangement will be discussed later, she said.

"While Ukraine's membership must not have a negative effect on EU farmers, we want to support Ukraine in regaining access to its historic third country export markets," the commissioner added.

Kos did not give any details of the proposal, but noted that talks with Ukraine on this matter are already underway. She said she hopes more clarity will emerge in a few weeks and that the European Commission will make a decision on Ukraine as they prepare to open Cluster 5.

It was previously reported that Kos wants to open two more clusters for Ukraine and Moldova next week.

It was also previously reported that candidate countries could receive European commissioners even before joining the EU.