Ukraine and Moldova are taking another step towards joining the European Union. On Wednesday, November 8, the European Commission issued a positive opinion on the launch of accession negotiations for the two countries on the occasion of the publication of its annual report on the progress of enlargement. They have been candidates since the winter of 2022, a period marked by the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
“Today is a historic day,” declared Ursula von der Leyen, announcing to the press the favorable opinion of the Commission for the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.
The process has been accelerated
In June 2022, the EU granted candidate status to Ukraine, in a highly symbolic gesture a few months after the start of the Russian invasion, as well as to neighboring Moldova. The opening of formal negotiations is the next step before possible accession. The Commission’s favorable opinion must now be approved or not by the 27 at their next summit on December 14-15 in Brussels.
“Ukraine continues to face enormous difficulties and tragedy caused by Russia’s war of aggression,” said Ursula von der Leyen, stressing that despite these difficulties, Ukraine had continued to reform itself “in depth” with a view to joining the EU.
Georgia obtains “candidate” status
Moldova, a small country among the poorest in Europe which regularly denounces attempts at destabilization on the part of Moscow, has for its part undertaken “significant reforms”, the President of the European Commission further welcomed. It also announced that it had recommended granting Georgia, a country partly occupied by Russia since 2008, official candidate status for entry into the EU.
“Today is a day of celebration in Georgia,” declared Ursula von der Leyen, who nevertheless stressed that this country still had to undertake “important reforms”, corresponding to the “aspirations of the overwhelming majority of its citizens to join the EU. An announcement which pro-Western Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili immediately “rejoiced”.
A gesture towards Bosnia
Finally, the European Commission also made a gesture towards Bosnia, a candidate country for membership, by showing itself in favor of opening accession negotiations with this Balkan country, still deeply divided, once that some progress will have been made.
“We have opened the door wide”, but results are now expected, she stressed.