The European Commission issued an opinion on Friday recommending that Ukraine be granted European Union candidate status
The European Commission today, i.e., Friday, June 17, 2022, recommended that Ukraine should be granted European Union (E.U.) candidate status, a first step towards the bloc’s membership.
The announcement came a day after the President of France – Emmanuel Macron, the Chancellor of Germany – Olaf Scholz, the Prime Minister of Italy – Mario Draghi and President of Romania – Klaus Lohannis met the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine.
The recommendations will now be discussed by leaders of the 27-nation bloc during a Summit next week in Brussels. The President of European Commission – Ursula von der Leyen said that the recommendation was on understanding that Ukraine carries out a number of reforms.
Taking it to twitter, Ursula tweeted,
Today, the @EU_Commission has adopted its Opinions on the membership applications of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, after assessing them against our rigorous standards ↓
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 17, 2022
https://t.co/BuBLz0Fbdt
She further tweeted,
We recommend to give Ukraine the candidate status, on the understanding that the country will carry out a number of important reforms.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 17, 2022
Ukraine has clearly shown commitment to live up to European values and standards.
And embarked, before the war, on its way towards the EU. pic.twitter.com/Cggme0Ep0l
She said Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the country’s aspiration and the country’s determination to live up to European values and standards. The entire process is merits-based. It goes by the book and therefore, progress depends entirely on Ukraine.
The recommendations were based on the European Commission’s assessment in light of the 3 sets of criteria which included political criteria, economic criteria and the ability of the country to assume the obligations of E.U. membership
The European Commission found that Ukraine is well advanced in reaching the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. It said that Ukraine has continued its strong macro-economic record, demonstrating a noteworthy resilience with macroeconomic and financial stability, while needing to continue ambitious structural economic reforms. It also stated that Ukraine has gradually approximated to substantial elements of the E.U. in many areas.
Referring to reforms undertaken by Ukraine, she tweeted, “Ukraine has already implemented roughly 70 % of 🇪🇺 rules, norms and standards. Yet important work remains to be done, on the rule of law, oligarchs, anti-corruption and fundamental rights. The process is merits-based. So progress depends entirely on Ukraine.”
Thanking Ursula, Zelenskyy tweeted,
I commend the positive @EU_Commission Conclusion on 🇺🇦’s candidate status. It’s the 1st step on the EU membership path that’ll certainly bring our Victory closer. Grateful to @vonderleyen & each EC member for a historic decision. I expect the positive result from #EUCO next week.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 17, 2022
This is for the first time European Commission has decided so quickly on E.U. candidacy. Zelenskyy said the decision will help Ukraine in defending their sovereignty against Russia. He said he expects E.U. Government leaders to approve the proposal next week.
Reacting to the recommendation, the Kremlin Spokesman – Dmitry Peskov said the issue requires heightened attention, as it does not want Ukraine to join the E.U.
Besides, the European Commission also announced making Moldova, an E.U. membership candidate. Georgia will instead need to meet certain conditions before it can be granted the status.
