On June 25, the European Union (EU) will open membership talks with Ukraine, giving the Eastern European nation a political boost amid its conflict with Russia.
The ceremony marking this event in Luxembourg will be more symbolic than substantive, as Kyiv still has an extremely long and difficult road ahead to overcome before it can truly join the bloc.
But by marking the start of negotiations with Ukraine, and soon after with its neighbor Moldova, the EU is signaling that both former Soviet republics are on the path toward deeper integration with the West.
This moment will be very significant for many Ukrainians. Ihor Zhovkva, foreign policy advisor to the President of Ukraine, said it will boost the morale of the Ukrainian people.
“That is very important,” Zhovkva told Reuters in an interview in Kyiv. “The path to full membership that Ukraine deserves… is irreversible.”
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Olga Stefanishyna will lead the Ukrainian delegation at this event, known in EU terminology as the Accession Conference. The conference will begin at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. GMT – 8:30 p.m. Vietnam time).
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Olga Stefanishyna. Photo: AP
Calling the day the EU decided to launch accession talks a "momentous day" for Ukraine, Stefanishyna said: "This is the highest will of the Ukrainian people. And this is irreversible. And you have seen the Ukrainian people stand up to defend their choice."
Representing the EU at this event was Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, as Belgium is the member state currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council.
The process of joining the EU varies from country to country, but it can take many years. Türkiye began accession negotiations nearly two decades ago and is still awaiting full membership.
According to EuroNews, a European Parliament (EP) poll conducted earlier this year showed that EU citizens generally support Ukraine's membership but are less supportive of accelerating the process.
The path to EU membership is challenging for candidate countries, as they must reform to meet EU standards on a wide range of issues, from combating corruption through agricultural governance to harmonizing customs regulations.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict presents enormous challenges for both Kyiv and Brussels, raising questions that neither side wants to answer at this time – such as whether Ukraine can participate if parts of its territory remain under the control of Russian forces.
Moldova's prospects of becoming a member raise similar questions, albeit on a smaller scale, with the key issue being the breakaway region of Transdniestria.
Both Kyiv and Chisinau will have to overcome not only technical and legal hurdles to become EU members, but also political barriers. Candidate states need the approval of all 27 EU members to open and close each stage of membership negotiations, giving member state governments ample opportunity to obstruct the process.
Hungary – a country that maintains closer ties with Russia than other EU members and does not supply weapons to Kyiv – has delayed the start of accession talks with Ukraine, according to diplomats. Hungary will hold the rotating presidency of the EU Council from July 1 until the end of this year.
Furthermore, expanding the EU to include Ukraine and Moldova – and other potential candidates such as the Western Balkans and Georgia – would require a radical review of EU regulations on everything from economic and agricultural development subsidies to decision-making processes, analysts say.
Minh Duc (According to Reuters, EuroNews)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/cu-hich-chinh-polit-cho-ukraine-a669880.html
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