June 7, 2024 – 7:23 pm
Today, Friday, the ambassadors of the European Union member states discussed the start of accession negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova to the European Union. Certain Anna Bisonero. The European Commission spokesman responsible for enlargement said:
According to the Council, the two countries “took the necessary steps.” The decision is now in the hands of member states.
Previously at Politico books, that the successive Belgian presidency will hold an intergovernmental conference with the Ukrainians on June 25 in the EU Council of Ministers, which will be the next step in the accession process. Dozens of countries do this In order to support. This date is of great importance because after a few days, starting in July, the Hungarian government will assume the presidency of the Council for half a year.
As we wrote previously, the European Commission proposed to member states last November that they take a decision in principle to begin negotiations, with seven requirements attached to accepting its negotiating framework. (Finally, member states determine the conditions under which negotiations with the Ukrainian government should continue.) Among these expectations is the provision of minority rights.
Member states decide unanimously the most important steps to join the European Union, which is how, for example, Ukraine was declared a candidate for membership. Since then, the European Commission – where Oliver Várhelyi, nominated by the Hungarian government, is in charge of enlargement – has recommended a decision in principle on starting accession negotiations. The decision was also reached unanimously by the 27 member states in December, although Viktor Orbán expressed his reservations about leaving the hall.
According to Politico, the committee's assessment presented orally to member states in March concluded that Ukraine still had a lot to do, but officials said Ukraine had “done most of its homework” in the area of minority rights, among other things. In principle, they could ask for a new report, but one official warned: “Varhelyi wouldn't be too keen on finishing it so quickly.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky already announced in December that, according to him, all EU expectations with a new law have been met. Meanwhile, Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, also in April He was not satisfied With progress up to that point in minority cases.
