European Union leaders should allow formal talks on Ukraine and Moldova’s accession to the bloc to start once both countries have completed reforms, the European Commission said Wednesday.
„In light of the results achieved by Ukraine and Moldova, and of the ongoing reform efforts, the Commission has recommended that the Council opens accession negotiations with both countries,” the EU executive announced as it unveiled a long-awaited assessment of candidate countries’ membership bids.
EU leaders could officially back the opening of Ukraine and Moldova’s accession talk at the next European Council summit in mid-December. All 27 member states. need to unanimously agree.
It is the first time the European Commission has green-lighted formal accession talks before a country has fully met all pre-conditions. However, Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine has added rgency into what is normally a drawn-out process.
The Commission said technical work could start „immediately” once EU leaders agree to endorse the roadmap for negotiations and Ukraine and Moldova finalize reforms.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that there is no „fixed date” for full membership.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the country’s president, described the decision as a „historic step that paves the way to a stronger EU with Ukraine as its member.”
Moldova’s President Maia Sandu also welcomed the Commission’s recommendation and vowed to „work relentlessly” towards EU membership.
An important milestone for Moldova. @EU_Commission recommends the initiation of Moldova's EU accession talks, recognising our commitment to democracy and development.
Moldova is firmly on the path for EU membership and we will continue working relentlessly towards this goal.
— Maia Sandu (@sandumaiamd) November 8, 2023
I welcome the historic @EU_Commission recommendations to open accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova 🇲🇩 and Ukraine 🇺🇦. Fully deserved recognition of their comprehensive reform efforts. Romania 🇷🇴 strongly supports a EU 🇪🇺 decision this year.
— Klaus Iohannis (@KlausIohannis) November 8, 2023
European Union proposes extending rail network to Ukraine and Moldova ⋆ Universul.net
