This Thursday, December 14, on the first day of the opening of the summit of 27 of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, the news so hoped for by kyiv arrived at the end of the day. The EU has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. A step forward hailed as a victory by the Ukrainian camp, which has been facing the Russian invasion since February 2022.
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It was via social networks that the information arrived on December 14, explains our special correspondent in Brussels, Daniel Vallot. On X (ex-Twitter), Charles Michel, the president of European Council, announced the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. “ A clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent », Wrote the European leader.
The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine & Moldova. #EUCO granted candidate status to Georgia. And the EU will open negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached and…
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) December 14, 2023
The announcement of this agreement comes as a surprise. We expected here, in Brussels, very long discussions. Some even mentioned the possibility of having to extend these negotiations until Saturday December 16, or even Sunday December 17.
Hungary abstains and is indignant, Ukraine satisfied
Hungary’s attitude and possible concessions made by Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister, constituted a big question mark. The head of the Hungarian government said, at the start of this summit, hostile to the opening of these accession negotiationsarguing that Ukraine was not ready and that Europe would be destabilized.
Ultimately, Viktor abstained from the vote. “ Hungary does not want to share responsibility » of this choice « foolish » of the 26 other countries and “ therefore abstained “, he said in a video posted on Facebook.
Volodymyr Zelensky welcomes this news with great satisfaction and relief. On X, the Ukrainian president posted a message: “ I thank everyone who worked to make this happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate all Ukrainians on this day. I also congratulate Moldova and personally (President) Maia Sandu. History is written by those who never tire of fighting for freedom. »
Tea #EUCO decision to open EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova has been adopted.
I thank everyone who worked for this to happen and everyone who helped. I congratulate every Ukrainian on this day.
I also congratulate Moldova and personally @SanduMaiamd.…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 14, 2023
Ukraine needed this victory on the diplomatic front, as it is struggling to obtain the funding promised by the United States and fears a crack in the support of Western countries for Russia. The announcement of this agreement, from this point of view, is undoubtedly very good news for kyiv.
Good news also for Moldova, which will benefit from the same treatment, and for Georgia, which obtains candidate status for accession as recommended by the Commission.