The decision on whether to officially start accession negotiations to accept Ukraine as a new member of the European Union (EU) will be made next month.
The European Commission, the EU's executive body, recommended on the 8th (local time) in its '2023 EU Enlargement Package' report adopted that the Council, composed of 27 member states, begin accession negotiations with Ukraine.
The Commission explained that four out of the seven pre-reform conditions presented when granting Ukraine candidate status in June last year have been completed. However, reforms in the remaining three areas, including anti-corruption measures, have not yet been finalized, and these must be completed before the first official accession negotiations begin.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said at a press conference, "Today, the Commission has recommended to the Council to start accession negotiations, so a political decision on whether to begin will be made at the EU Council meeting held in mid-next month." If the decision to start is made, preparations for accession negotiations are expected to begin immediately.
Foreign media evaluated the Commission's recommendation on this day as a significant turning point for Ukraine, which has been fighting against Russia's invasion since February last year, on its path to Western integration. From the EU's perspective, it can expand its influence on the European continent against Russia.
However, even if accession negotiations officially begin, it may take a long time to actually join as a member state, so some point out that it is only symbolic. Croatia, the most recent country to join the EU, also took 10 years from application to final approval in 2013.
Meanwhile, the Commission also recommended starting accession negotiations with Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina on the condition that they complete reform measures. Additionally, it proposed granting 'candidate status' to Georgia.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
