Ukraine given green light by EU for bloc membership - ‘now is the time’
THE EU is set to grant Ukraine candidate status later this week, the first step on the road to membership of the bloc.
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It follows a Monday meeting of EU Ambassadors where nobody opposed the move. Last week the European Commission recommended that Ukraine should receive the status although it could take years before it becomes a member state.
The Commission did recommend however that Ukraine still had to meet requirements related to the rule of law, justice and anti corruption.
It is a highly significant step for Ukraine which has invested much of its political future in a closer relationship with Europe.
The EU is also set to support the commission's view that candidate status should also be granted to Moldova and Georgia if they meet specific requirements, sources told Bloomberg.
The EU will meet in Brussels on June 23-24 when it is expected that the commission's recommendations will be given the green light.
������ The world is with #Ukraine !
— Johan Roux (@johan_roux1) June 20, 2022
This weekend, large rallies in support of granting Ukraine #EU candidate status were held in #Spain and #Portugal .
Ukraine is #Europe !
Thank you for your support ������������ pic.twitter.com/8us2ckLjSY
The final decision to grant candidate status will have to be approved by all 27 member states.
In a letter inviting leaders to the summit European Council President Charles Michel said “now is the time to acknowledge” that the future of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova is in the EU.
He said: “Now is the time to acknowledge that the future of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia lies within the EU.
“I will invite you to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.”
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������������������������ #Georgians have once again proved that their country prefers a #European future than Russian imperialism. The rally today was the largest in recent years. The demands of tens of thousands of Georgians must be considered and #Georgia must be granted candidate status. #EU https://t.co/fMp5v8IgSx
— Eyjolfur Kolbeinn (@ekekobbi) June 21, 2022
Thanks for the catch up, @JeppeKofod, ahead of this week’s @EUCouncil decision on EU candidate status for #Moldova.
— Nicu Popescu (@nicupopescu) June 20, 2022
Pleased to discuss our reform agenda following @EU_Commission’s opinion last Friday & strengthening of our bilateral relationship w/ #Denmark. pic.twitter.com/mfNo5pfatL
An EU official told Bloomberg that Ukraine's candidate status is on track to be approved following positive discussions.
During Monday's meeting some member states emphasised the need for Ukraine to meet the conditions set out by the commission.
This is seen as a necessity before accession talks can progress beyond the candidate stage.
Other member states argue it is important that new candidates aren't seen to get preferential treatment.
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What happened in Hungary? ������ A clear statement to support the EU candidate status for Ukraine, Bosnia, Georgia and Moldova ������ https://t.co/gIMJbJzvZM
— Imre Kovacs ������������������ (@D3qOl) June 20, 2022
This is particularly important when compared to Western Balkans countries whose progress towards membership has stalled.
The commission has made it clear that there is no fast track to membership in what is an arduous process.
Croatia was the last country to join the bloc in 2013 following a decade-long application process.
Hungary is one member state that has requested that Bosnia and Herzegovina should be granted candidate status.
However a source told Bloomberg that this is problematic.