“Yes, Ukraine deserves perspective,” committee chair Ursula von der Leyen said during a press conference on Friday afternoon. She believes that the country took important steps before the war to qualify for the candidacy. “With the 2016 association agreement, Ukraine already met 70 percent of the conditions for European membership,” said von der Leyen, dressed in a yellow jacket and blue blouse, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
She praised Ukraine’s ‘robust’ democracy, called the elections free and fair and the education system highly developed. However, according to von der Leyen, Ukraine needs to implement a number of crucial reforms regarding corruption, the rule of law and rights for minorities. ‘Ukraine has it in its own hands.’
unanimity
The positive advice from the European Commission comes as no surprise. Von der Leyen said, somewhat for her part, that he was already in favor of Ukrainian candidate for membership at the start of the Russian invasion. The entire committee is now convinced of this.
The Commission’s advice is unwieldy, in the sense that the EU Member States ultimately have to decide. The 27 heads of government will meet in Brussels at the end of next week to discuss Ukraine’s membership. This requires unanimity.
On Thursday, until then skeptical leaders Emmanuel Macron (France) and Olaf Scholz (Germany) took an important step. During a visit to Ukraine, together with their Italian and Romanian colleagues, they expressed their support for Ukraine’s candidacy.
Symbolic
Ukraine’s candidate status should above all be seen as a gesture of solidarity on the part of the European Union. Ukraine is practically useless. The negotiations that follow will take at least ten years, especially as the country is currently at war. All 27 Member States will always have to give their agreement during the negotiations. That can take a long time. Turkey has been a candidate for membership for 23 years.
The European Commission also issued an opinion on the candidacy of Moldova and Georgia on Friday. The Commission is also positive in the case of Moldova. This is striking, because Moldova only applied for candidacy in March. The country is also the poorest in Europe and has a large pro-Russian community. The country would need major reforms, more than Ukraine, before it can join the EU.
“For the first time since the country’s independence, this administration has embarked on a path that is pro-reform and anti-corruption,” von der Leyen praised President Maia Sandu’s regime. According to the Commission, Georgia’s membership will have to be put on hold for a while, as the country lacks a ‘clear route to Europe’, according to von der Leyen.