The promise of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that Ukraine can join the EU at an accelerated pace has led to a hard clash in the House of Representatives, De Telegraaf reported. Parties such as VVD, PVV and SP call her plans ‘nonsensical’ and ‘unwise’. D66 and GL, on the other hand, show great appreciation.
What is striking is that coalition parties VVD and D66 are miles apart. Accession of a new member state is only possible if all EU member states, including the Netherlands, agree.
Von der Leyen made her statements on Friday. She wants to bring forward the start of the accession procedure by many months, especially for Ukraine. Critical parties accuse the EC chairman of a large dose of symbolism, as well as cultivating false hopes. After all, the actual accession procedure will take many years. In addition, according to the critics, Ukraine’s favoritism cannot be sold to other countries that are already in the procedure.
Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed his desire to become an EU member in his speech to the House of Representatives a good week ago. It earned him a standing ovation from the MPs present.
Prime Minister Rutte previously said he was not keen on an EU cut-off route for Ukraine. As far as he is concerned, it will remain a matter of ‘deepening cooperation’ for the time being. What do you think? Is it wise to accelerate Ukraine’s accession to the EU or is there a danger that ‘we’ will then become involved in the war?