(CNN)The long-term objective of Ukraine to join the European Union has gained a new boost as the bloc's 27 members decided Thursday to grant it candidate status, which is an important step toward full membership.
After negotiations in Brussels, Charles Michel, president of the European Council, posted on Twitter, "Today marks a critical milestone on your route towards the EU." The leaders also concurred to accept Moldova's application.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, said he "sincerely commends" the decision made by the European Council and described it as "a unique and momentous moment in EU/Ukraine ties."
Following Ursula von Der Leyen's statement that Ukraine deserved candidate status because it "clearly proved the country's aim and the country's commitment to live up to European ideals and standards," the EU Council decided to grant Ukraine such status at its summit.Ukraine won't be able to join the EU for many more years, though. The lengthy process needs consent from all 27 member nations at practically every step. This indicates that member states have several possibilities to use their veto as a political negotiating tool.
Ukraine must first fulfill the Copenhagen criteria, a hazy set of standards that examine a nation's ability to operate a free market economy, whether its institutions are capable of upholding European ideals like human rights and the EU's view of the rule of law, and whether it has an inclusive, functional democracy.(From L) On June 16, 2022, a working meeting will take place at Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv between Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. – Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the three leaders of the European Union haven't paid a visit to Kyiv. At a time when Kyiv is promoting its desire to join the EU, they will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Although von der Leyen admitted that Ukraine had begun working toward these goals long before the invasion, it is unlikely that it will be able to do so while the nation is at war.
Ukraine must implement internal changes in order to satisfy the necessary standards in each of these sectors once these requirements have been satisfied and all member states have consented to begin discussions on the 35 negotiating chapters, which range from commerce to law to civil society. Again, in order to close each chapter, all member states must concur that the conditions have been satisfied.
After that, the decision must be approved by the European Parliament and legislative bodies before Ukraine may become an EU member.
According to the think tank UK in a Changing Europe, it takes four years and ten months on average to join the EU. However, some eastern European member nations have had to wait up to 10 years.
Political factors could derail Ukraine's aim of joining the European Union in addition to a protracted and difficult procedure.
The prospect of Ukraine joining the union is not welcomed by all of the member states. In order to obtain a concession on another issue that the EU is discussing, such as the distribution of EU funds, it is therefore conceivable that one or more will be tempted to sabotage the process at every point.
Hungary, Germany, and France have not been as enthusiastic in their support. The leaders of France, Germany, and Italy didn't declare their support for Ukraine's candidacy until after a trip to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Hungary has also been slow to act, for a variety of reasons, but most importantly because it is the EU's main ally of Russia.On Thursday, June 16, 2022, after leaving Poland, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and others board a train headed for Kyiv. As they get ready for a crucial European Union leaders' summit in Brussels next week and a NATO summit on June 29–30 in Madrid, the European leaders are anticipated to meet with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelensky has also chastised several European nations for not giving Ukraine enough weapons while the country fights a valiant battle to defend the Luhansk area in the east of the nation.
Their reservations range from worries about corruption to fears that if Ukraine is joined, power will shift from the west to the east of the union. Concerns exist on how much of the EU budget Ukraine may use.
Despite the fact that the candidacy has the support of all member states, there will still be plenty of chances for leaders to redouble their efforts during the following years.
The lengthy road for Ukraine to join the EU has just begun. Its standing as a candidate may represent a moral triumph and deliver a strong message to Russia. However, the truth is that Ukraine must now implement reforms that would be challenging even in the best of circumstances, much less while being invaded by a foreign force.
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