The Netherlands and Denmark are against granting status to Ukraine "candidate"

Next week, the EC may make a formal recommendation to grant Ukraine candidate status for EU membership. But Denmark and the Netherlands disagree.

According to Bloombergciting its sources, the EC recommendation will be accompanied by certain conditions related to anti-corruption legislation and the rule of law. The final decision must be made by the leaders of the countries of the European Union, and among them there is no unanimity on this issue.

Explaining its disagreement, Denmark stated that Ukraine does not meet certain criteria that are related to the stability of institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect and protection of minorities. Bloomberg states that Kyiv will need to “fundamentally improve its legislative and institutional framework.”

Italy supports the decision to grant Ukraine candidate membership status EU. The desire to make a decision in favor of Ukraine was expressed by Lithuania, Poland and Ireland. Germany is proposing to give Ukraine conditional candidate status, while Estonia has stressed the need to give it hope.

The issue will be discussed on June 23-24 at the EU summit. fast track does not exist to become an EU candidate, and Ukraine also needs to overcome the objections of key states opposed to the expansion of the alliance.

The very process of joining the European Union is quite complex, including the fulfillment of certain conditions and steps, and sometimes takes a long period – sometimes more than ten years.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed the application for the country’s accession to the European Union on February 28. On May 9, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanyshina announced that the second part of the completed questionnaire, required as part of the application, had been transferred to the EU. She expressed hope that Ukraine will receive the status of a candidate for EU membership in June, writes Bloomberg.

Offer to provide Ukraine “interim” membership in EU made June 5 Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer. He wants to create a special “preparatory space” where Ukraine could reach EU standards. On May 18, Emmanuel Macron, President of France, announced that Ukraine’s application for EU membership would be considered in June.

Meanwhile, Austria will oppose granting candidate status to Ukraine if the states of the Western Balkans and Moldova do not receive the same status. This statement was made by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer during his visit to Estonia, according to the Austrian Press Agency.

Earlier, our publication reported that at the informal EU summit in March of this year, the joint statement of the participants said:

“The Council of the EU recognized Ukraine’s European aspirations and European choice, as stated in the Association Agreement. On February 28, 2022, the President of Ukraine, exercising Ukraine’s right to choose its own destiny, applied for Ukraine to join the European Union. The Council acted quickly and invited the Commission to submit its opinion on this statement in accordance with the relevant provisions of the treaties. Until then and without delay, we will further strengthen our ties and deepen our partnership to support Ukraine on its European path. Ukraine belongs to our European family.”

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