EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova can start as planned next Tuesday. On Friday, the EU Council of Ministers formalized an agreement reached the week before on the so-called negotiating framework, as announced by the Belgian presidency of the EU Council. They determined the guidelines for the accession negotiations. The first round of negotiations will take place in Luxembourg on Tuesday on the sidelines of an EU ministerial meeting.
The basis for the positive decision of the EU countries to start negotiations was an analysis by the European Commission. This concluded that Ukraine and Moldova had met all requirements for the start of EU accession negotiations. These included measures to combat corruption, better protect national minorities and limit the political influence of oligarchs.
All reform requirements had to be met before negotiations began
The start of accession talks with Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, and its small neighboring state Moldova had already been decided in principle during an EU summit in December. At the same time, however, it was agreed that all reform requirements must be met before negotiations can begin.
For the people of Ukraine, the opening of EU accession negotiations is seen as an important sign that it is worth continuing the defensive struggle against Russia. How long it could take for the EU to join the EU once negotiations begin is completely unclear. For example, Turkey became a candidate for the EU in 1999 – and is currently further away from membership than all other candidate countries, partly due to the decline in the rule of law.
Ukraine’s accession to the EU before the end of the war is unlikely
Theoretically, a candidate for membership can never become a member. Currently, it is considered impossible for Ukraine to become a member of the EU before the end of Russia’s war of aggression. Because Kiev could then request military assistance under Article 42, paragraph 7 of the EU Treaty, and the EU would be a party to the war.
Source: Krone

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