EU negotiates Ukraine's accession

“Millions of Ukrainians and generations of our people are realizing the European dream. Ukraine is gradually returning to Europe, where it has belonged for centuries, as a full-fledged member of the European community,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

European Union (EU) ministers are expected to start the first round of negotiations with Ukraine and then with Moldova in Luxembourg (Belgium) on October 22. The Ukrainian president called the start of negotiations a " historic step".

EU countries agree to negotiate admission of Ukraine and Moldova. (Photo: Getty)

Ukraine and Moldova applied to join the EU after Russia launched a special military operation in February 2022. The start of negotiations puts the two former Soviet states at the beginning of a years-long reform process before they become full members.

In December, EU leaders took a major step by agreeing to open talks on war-torn Ukraine and Moldova joining the union. But to begin the talks, the bloc’s members must sign up to a formal framework for the process.

The EU executive also informed the member states that Ukraine and Moldova meet all the criteria needed to start negotiations. Ukraine is making a big impression on its European supporters by implementing important reforms.

Pressure is mounting on Ukraine to take the next step in its bid to become a full member amid fears of obstruction by Hungary, which has said it has no intention of holding any further talks with Ukraine.

Russia's military conflict in Ukraine has sparked a push for new EU membership, after years of failed progress in efforts to join the bloc.

In December 2023, the EU granted candidate status to its former Soviet neighbor Georgia. At the same time, it approved several accession talks with Bosnia and opened similar talks with Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia.

Kong Anh (Source: France 24)

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/eu-dam-phan-ket-nap-ukraine-ar902881.html