French European Minister: "Ukraine's EU Accession Will Take Over 15 to 20 Years"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Ukraine's accession to the European Union (EU) would realistically take more than 15 to 20 years, making short-term membership impossible. As an alternative, it emphasized that Ukraine should first join the 'European Political Community' proposed earlier by French President Emmanuel Macron.

On the 22nd (local time), Cl?ment Beaune, France's Minister Delegate for European Affairs, said in an interview with the French local radio station J, "Saying that Ukraine will join the EU within six months or one to two years is a lie," adding, "It will probably take more than 15 to 20 years." He continued, "For Ukraine to integrate quickly with the EU, a looser form of the European Political Community is necessary, and Ukraine should join this first."

The European Political Community initiative was previously proposed by President Macron and is known as a kind of waiting room before EU accession. Regarding this plan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly rejected it the day before, saying, "There is no alternative to EU membership."

Minister Beaune emphasized, "This is not an alternative to EU membership, nor does it prevent future EU accession," adding, "Under the European Political Community, one can move freely across Europe and receive EU budget benefits for reconstruction and socio-economic revival." The proposal for the European Political Community is scheduled to be discussed at the EU summit at the end of June.

EU accession requires unanimous approval from all 27 member states, so it is expected to involve long-term negotiations. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also previously pointed out, "There is no shortcut to EU membership, and it is not something that will be completed in a few months or years."

Currently, eight Eastern European countries bordering Russia, centered on Poland, support Ukraine's rapid accession, but it is expected to take at least 10 years. According to The New York Times (NYT), Poland applied for EU membership in 1994 and only joined in 2004, after 10 years.