European Council President Charles Michel has sought to reassure Ukraine and Moldova that EU membership remains a priority for the bloc, ahead a difficult meeting for the two candidate countries next month.
“The entry of Ukraine and Moldova into the EU is a strategic interest of ours and I will do everything possible to ensure that the European Council starts negotiations in December,” (European Council President Charles) Michel said in Kyiv, speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Moldova’s President Maia Sandu.
Over the past year, both countries have implemented reforms to convince EU members and advance their chances of EU membership. EU leaders will hold a summit in Brussels on 14-15 December where they will discuss whether to start accession talks for the two countries.
Both Zelensky and Sandu on Tuesday vowed to continue work on reforms.
Michel stressed he would “do everything to convince the (EU) 27 to reach a positive decision” in December.
There is optimism in Kyiv and Chişinău despite warnings from EU officials that the political decision to launch the talks next month could be “at risk”.
“I would like the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine to be based on concrete facts, we do not expect gifts and we understand that this is a process of merit,” Zelensky said.
He added that the decision to start negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU in December would be “motivating” and “mobilizing” for Ukrainians.
“We must act with one voice, showing that our collective will is unbreakable,” Sandu said, stressing again that both countries believe that “the European Union does not want to give Putin the right of veto in the European Union”.
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