The Ukrainian president welcomed this Wednesday the “correct decision” of the European Commission, which recommended the opening of negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union (EU), even with the condition that Kiev has to combat corruption.
“Our state must be in the EU. Ukrainians deserve it. The decision is a recognition of the reforms carried out in the middle of the war and a correct step” that “brings Ukraine closer to integration,” said Volodymyr Zelensky in a video published on the social network Telegram, remembering that Ukraine has been the target of a Russian invasion since February 24, 2022.
“Today, the history of Ukraine and all of Europe has taken the right step,” he added, arguing that Ukrainian soldiers “protect European values” and the country has been able to “keep its word” and reform state institutions,” even in the middle of a full-scale war.”
Zelensky pledged to continue making the “necessary decisions” to move towards EU integration and thanked “everyone who helps” Ukraine on this path.
For his part, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Chmygal promised to make Ukraine an “equal” and “strong” member of the EU.
In Brussels, the European Commission recommended this Wednesday to the Council to open formal negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, given the efforts made by Kiev to meet requirements, but imposed conditions such as the fight against corruption.
“Today is a historic day because the Commission recommends that the Council open formal negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova,” announced the president of the community executive, Ursula von der Leyen, at a press conference.
“In light of the results achieved since June 2022 according to the political criteria, within the framework of the seven stages and beyond, the Commission considers that Ukraine sufficiently meets the criteria relating to the stability of the institutions that guarantee democracy, rule of law and human rights and respect and protection of minorities, established by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993, as long as it continues its reform efforts and meets the remaining requirements within the scope of the seven stages”, explained the institution.
“On this basis, the Commission recommends that the Council begin accession negotiations with Ukraine,” states the document, which however imposes four conditions, one of which concerns the fight against corruption.
“Ukraine must continue to fight corruption by building a new track record of investigations and convictions for corruption. The Commission will continually monitor progress and compliance in all areas related to the opening of negotiations and will report to the Council by March 2024,” it says. Brussels in the document.
Specifically, the community executive recommends that the Council adopt the negotiating framework when Ukraine has enacted a law proposed by the Government that increases the maximum number of employees of the National Anti-Corruption Office of Ukraine and allows it to verify assets.
It also requires the promulgation of a law that regulates the activities of lobbying and legislation relating to national minorities, the official language, the media and education.
Brussels further notes that, “despite the war and its impact on all levels of Ukrainian society and the current martial law, the Ukrainian government and parliament have shown determination to carry out the necessary reforms required by the peace process. accession to the EU”.
In mid-2022, EU Member States took a historic decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, joining a wider group of countries, some of which have long been in the “queue” to enter the EU. advances in recent years.
This list now consists of Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Enlargement is the process by which states join the EU, after meeting the political and economic requirements.
Any European State that respects the community’s democratic values and is committed to promoting them can apply for membership in the EU, but to do so it must undergo a process of formal negotiations (which can only be approved unanimously among the current members). Member States), followed by judicial, administrative and economic reforms.
The Council, in its General Affairs formation, establishes and supervises the EU enlargement process and accession negotiations, acting unanimously.
Source: TSF
