Ukraine can be a candidate country for accession to the European Union. This is an issue that does not even need to be discussed in the EU, says European Parliament President Roberta Mezzola. At the Ukrainian breakfast discussion in Davos, she noted that Europe should open its doors to any state that shares key European principles and values.
"Any country that shares core principles, values, and fights for the values on which Europe was built, why shouldn't Europe open its doors to such a country? It's just a matter of political will. We can discuss different countries, I heard part of the discussion, but if we aren't ready today, when Ukraine is struggling not just for Europe, but for the world, and Ukraine is fighting for the essence of what we believe, then where do we stay if we don't think about it?" she emphasized.
Mezzola stressed that Ukraine is at war and the EU must be sure that the platform it will offer is the open door, not closed one.
Ukraine expects to receive the status of a candidate for EU membership this June. After that, it must start the process of changes necessary for full membership. It can take years and decades.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukraine could not join the European Union immediately without going through all the necessary procedures. He stressed that "Ukraine is by no means trying to jump over someone's head and leave those who have been waiting for a long time behind. Giving Ukraine candidate status is Ukraine's accession to the Western Balkans, which are pending."
According to the plan, these and other countries of the Western Balkans should become members of the EU by 2025.