The European Commission has backed Ukraine’s bid to be given candidacy status to join the European Union (EU), bringing it one step closer to joining the bloc.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen admitted that “Good work has been done” by Ukraine, however, she added that more is needed. Additionally, she advised that Ukraine must make “important” reforms, on rule of law, oligarchs, human rights and tackling corruption.
Usually, candidacy status is a significant step to joining the EU, however, the whole process can take many years. The recommendation from the European Commission still needs to be signed off by the EU’s 27 member states, who will meet next week to discuss it. The French, German and Italian leaders have already backed Ukraine’s bid, but the decision must be unanimous.
Speaking from Brussels and wearing blue and yellow, which are the colours of Ukraine, Mrs. Von der Leyen intimated that Ukrainians are “ready to die” for the European perspective. “We want them to live with us in the European dream,” she said, adding that Ukraine has shown its “aspiration and determination to live up to European values and standards”.
More Work for Ukraine to do
Mrs. Von der Leyen pointed out that it is conditional, as Ukraine has work to do, she said, as this will ensure international law is respected. Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a tweet post, noted that the “historic decision” would bring “victory closer”.
The announcement came a day after the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania visited Kyiv and backed Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union, which is a big vote of confidence for Ukraine that Friday, June 17, 2022, the decision is inevitable.
Meanwhile in Russia, the Kremlin is watching Ukraine’s efforts to join the EU very closely. Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters in a news briefing that the development “requires our heightened attention because we are all aware of the intensification of discussions in Europe on the subject of strengthening the defence component of the EU”.
Plans by Other Countries to Join the EU
Ukraine’s neighbours, Moldova and Georgia, which are both ex-Soviet nations, have also applied for EU membership shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, following concerns that other countries that were once part of the Soviet Union would be next.
So far, Mrs. Von der Leyen announced support for Moldova, one of Europe’s poorest countries, to move to candidacy status, but has exempted Georgia. “[Moldova] is on a real pro-reform, anti-corruption and European path,” Ursula von der Leyen said. She added that “Georgia must now come together politically to design a clear path towards structural reform and the EU”.
As it stands, there are five nations currently with EU candidacy status; Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.
