According to Metsola, the EU must redeem the promises made to the applicant countries. According to him, expansion also requires internal change within the European Union.
BULBOACA, MOLDOVA Promises about EU enlargement must not remain at the level of speeches. This is the line of the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola In the interview he gave to .
interviewed Metsola in connection with the summit meeting of the European political community held in Bulboaca, Moldova on Thursday. At the meeting, the president Volodymyr Zelenskyi appealed to leaders to promote Ukraine’s EU membership.
Ukraine was accepted as a candidate country last summer, but the actual membership negotiations have not started yet. The Commission has drawn up a list of reforms that Ukraine must carry out before negotiations can begin.
– When this work is done, we can take the next steps. If the conditions for starting negotiations are met this year, it is clear that they must also be started, says Metsola.
The credibility of the EU is measured
The question of EU enlargement divides opinion in EU countries. Accepting new members is a slow process that requires the unanimous approval of the member countries. The last time the Union expanded was in 2013, when Croatia was accepted as a member of the Union.
In addition to Ukraine, the EU has granted applicant country status to seven other countries: Turkey, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to Metsola, it is important to commit to expansion. The question is ultimately about the credibility of the EU.
– We have to move from words to actions.
The expansion of the EU also requires reforms within the Union, Metsola emphasizes.
– We must also be able to reform, in the same way that we require reforms in the applicant countries.
The war changed the European Union
Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine has revolutionized the EU’s internal decision-making. Decisions on sanctions against Russia and the replacement of Russian energy have been made with enormous speed.
– The war has fundamentally changed the EU. I would say that the change has been in the right direction, says Metsola.
Metsola brings up the EU’s decision to deliver one million artillery shells to Ukraine. In the past, common funds have not been used to purchase weapons or ammunition.
Increasing the production of munitions has proven to be a challenge for the European defense industry. According to Metsola, conclusions must be drawn from the situation with the future in mind.
– Production has been too low for far too long.
Bombs will not humiliate Ukraine
And what does Speaker Metsola think about the fifteen month continuous Russian attack? What conclusions should be drawn from the situation?
– Russia must leave the territory of Ukraine. Ukraine cannot be humiliated by bombing. We will support Ukraine as long as it is needed, Metsola answers.
And has the EU and the rest of Europe done enough for Ukraine?
– The EU can always do more, our allies can always do more. We must continue our political support for Ukraine and fight against war fatigue, says Metsola.