Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has promised the EU further reforms. The European Commission is expected to recommend on Wednesday that the European Union start accession negotiations with Ukraine.
Ukraine is working on new laws and strengthening its state institutions to introduce EU standards in the country, Zelensky said in his evening video message broadcast in Kiev on Tuesday: “Ukraine will be in the EU.”
Membership means “economic security and social stability” for Ukraine, Zelensky said. The country survived the fight against the Russian invasion thanks to billions in aid from the EU.
“Positive signals” from the EU boss
The European Commission wants to present its report on the progress of reforms in Ukraine. The country attacked by Russia expects a recommendation for starting accession negotiations this year. The Heads of State and Government want to make a decision on this issue in December.
According to Zelenskyj, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave “positive signals” during her visit to Kiev last Saturday.
According to information from the German news agency, Von der Leyen plans to give a positive assessment of the country’s reform progress in Brussels on Wednesday. The intention is also to officially recommend that the governments of the EU countries start accession negotiations.
The Member States decide
Accordingly, the European Commission assumes that the remaining reform measures can be completed by Ukraine in a short time and that this is not a reason to postpone the fundamental decision on the start of accession negotiations.
The approval of the heads of state and government of the EU countries could therefore take place during the EU summit on December 14 and 15, as the government in Kiev had hoped. In order to ensure that Ukraine checks off the outstanding conditions, it would probably be agreed to make further necessary decisions for the negotiations dependent on this. The formal start of negotiations in the context of the first accession conference may therefore take a long time.
“We are already preparing our next steps after this report,” Zelensky said, referring to this Wednesday. The country will achieve membership of the European Union through an internal transformation. It is important that the Supreme Rada – parliament – enacts the relevant laws, Zelensky said.
“Revolution of Dignity”
Ukraine has come a long way, Zelensky said. In his video address, he also recalled the 10th anniversary of the “Revolution of Dignity”. The pro-European demonstrations began in November 2013 and led to the overthrow of Russia-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014.
The EU’s other reform demands revolve around the selection process for Ukrainian constitutional judges and a stronger fight against corruption – especially at high levels. The EU also demands compliance with anti-money laundering standards and the introduction of a law against the excessive influence of oligarchs.
Source: Krone
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