European Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) has little to gain from Ukraine’s rapid accession to the EU. After meeting Ukraine’s special envoy, Oleksiy Chernishov, she made it clear she said a possible accession would be a “nasty, rocky road”. But one will not stand in the way of a candidate status.
Since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, a possible accession of Ukraine to the European Union has become much more concrete recently. The country has already submitted the first catalog of questions, which is considered the first step towards candidate status.
“We respect the desire to become a full member of the EU,” said Edtstadler, who at the same time emphasized Austria’s solidarity with Ukraine. They also want to deepen relations between Ukraine and the European Union.
European Commission probably free for membership
“Ukraine has every right to become a member,” Edtstadler emphasized at a press conference. The European Commission is currently examining the associated application, which is likely to receive a positive assessment. However, the minister emphasized several times that this is only a matter of candidate membership status, ie a first step towards membership and not yet possible full membership.
Edtstadler: ‘I have experienced a lot of disappointment’
Arguing that there is no so-called accelerated accession procedure – “not even for Ukraine” – she also dashed all hopes of speedy admission. Although they do not want to stand in the way of candidate status, they want to sufficiently investigate whether they actually want to integrate Ukraine into the EU.
Edtstadler was also not deprived of a time horizon – but “a lot of disappointment was experienced”, the minister said soberly, for example in the attempts to join the Western Balkans. In any case, it will be a “tiring, rocky road” to membership.
Special envoy urges speedy trial
“It is very important for us that this decision is taken at the end of June,” Chernizhov nevertheless urged a speedy trial. The first application for accession was already worded in great detail: “We feel like part of the big European family,” said the special envoy, who at the same time emphasized the need for a gas embargo in order to successfully drive Russia back from Ukraine.
Source: Krone
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