European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to visit Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's accession process to the European Union (EU), TSN.ua reported on November 2, citing Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishina.
During the visit, which is expected to take place on November 4th, the head of the EU executive body will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the EU publishes a key report and decides whether to open accession talks with Kyiv.
The EC report, scheduled for publication on November 8th, concerns the progress made in reforms by countries seeking EU membership – including Ukraine, as well as Moldova and Georgia – Stefanishyna revealed.
"We are awaiting the visit of the EC President to negotiate with President Zelensky on the final assessment that will be submitted to the EC for the preparation of the report," explained the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration.
Stefanishyna also expressed hope that the report regarding the launch of EU accession negotiations "will certainly be positive".
Last June, as fierce fighting continued between Russia and the Eastern European nation, in a highly symbolic gesture, the EU granted candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.
A protest organized by supporters of Ukraine and Georgia on the sidelines of the Council of Europe in Brussels, Belgium, on June 29, 2023. The protest was held to call on the EU to chart a path to membership for Ukraine and Georgia. Photo: Euractiv
To move to the next stage – opening accession negotiations – the EC has set seven criteria for Kyiv, including combating rampant corruption and reforming the judicial system.
EC President von der Leyen assessed Ukraine in September of this year and said that the war-torn country had made “great strides” in adopting the standards. It will take some time before negotiations can lead to full membership.
Five countries in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) also have EU candidate status, but some have been negotiating membership for more than 10 years.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, speaking to reporters before attending a conference in Berlin on November 2nd regarding EU expansion and reform, called on the bloc to adopt a more agile approach to admitting new members.
“We are very optimistic. We have implemented many reforms and we have passed the necessary laws to meet Brussels’ recommendations. Kyiv’s main position is that EU reforms should not hold the process of enlargement hostage,” Kuleba said, further explaining, “We must find the right balance between EU reforms and continued enlargement . ”
Minh Duc (Based on Xinhua, Euronews, Ukrainska Pravda)
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