Ukraine inch towards EU membership amidst reforms
The European Commission (EC) has recommended initiating talks about Ukraine and Moldova's potential accession to the European Union. According to Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the EC, despite the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has completed more than 90 percent of the stages of profound reforms.
4:06 PM EST, November 8, 2023
The legislative body of the European Union has suggested the commencement of formal discussions to bring Ukraine into the fold. This is being seen as a significant milestone in Ukraine's desire to establish a deeper connection with the Western world.
A historic day
On Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen, the EC President, deemed the day historic as she recommended the Council begin accession negotiations with both Ukraine and Moldova.
Last Saturday, she praised Kyiv for meeting over "90 percent" of the seven reform criteria set out by Brussels.
EC recommends starting accession negotiations with Ukraine
"In light of the progress made since June 2022, the Commission believes that Ukraine has adequately met the criteria concerning the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, rule of law, human rights, and respect and protection of minorities, as stipulated by the European Council in Copenhagen in 1993, subject to the continuation of reform efforts and meeting the remaining steps of the seven-step requirements. Based on this, the Commission recommends that the EU Council begin accession negotiations with Ukraine." - the report commented.
The report also suggests that the EU Council should "approve the negotiations framework post Ukraine's enactment of legislation that raises the employment cap for the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine; lifts limits on the Bureau's powers to verify assets; passes a law regulating lobbying in line with European standards as part of the action plan against oligarchs; and enacts a law that implements the recommendations of the Venice Commission regarding national minorities".
