On Saturday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who arrived in Ukraine on a visit. During the talks and a joint press conference, the officials discussed the ways and conditions of Ukraine's accession to the EU, the president's website says.
"When we start negotiations on Ukraine's membership - I really believe in this - it will mean several fundamental things. First, there will be no more grey geopolitical zones in Europe. Second, we will provide a new basis for growth for Ukraine and all European countries. And thirdly, we will guarantee our country and the Ukrainian people real economic and social security. The kind of security that is in line with our values - the values of Europeans," Zelenskyy said.
He stressed that Ukraine had fulfilled the recommendations necessary for the start of membership negotiations. He also said that a draft law on the Specialised Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office has already been registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which will enable the anti-corruption system to work effectively.
In addition, a draft law on lobbying is being prepared to make political processes more transparent and reliably protect the state from the destructive influence of oligarchs and others trying to circumvent the rule of law.
"Ukraine will be as ready as possible to start negotiations with the EU on accession and subsequently to full membership in the EU," the Head of State assured.
In her turn, Ursula von der Leyen stated that Ukraine had made significant progress in the implementation of reforms necessary for accession to the EU. It will be summarized in the report that the European Commission plans to present next week.