President of the European Council Charles Michel has promised Ukraine and Moldova to do everything possible to start negotiations on EU accession. He told journalists after talks with the presidents of both countries in Kyiv, reports Yevropeyska Pravda.
According to Michel, the path of Ukraine and Moldova to join the European Union was one of the topics of talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Maia Sandu.
"Dear Presidents Zelenskyy and Sandu, dear citizens of Ukraine and Moldova, I assure you that I will not miss a single chance to meet your legitimate ambitions and expectations," the European Council president said.
Michel stressed that it is not about the accession itself, but about the beginning of a long process that is "full of demands and sometimes frustrating". The President of the European Council also reminded that the countries will have to fulfil many tasks, in particular, in the area of the rule of law, but the first step should be taken now.
"I will do my best to convince my 27 colleagues (EU leaders) that we need a positive decision in December," Michel said.
He outlined three main arguments that he will use to convince the participants of the EU summit in December:
- Michel believes that the start of negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU "will be a signal to European citizens that we care about their security and well-being", as he believes that enlargement will make Europe safer and richer;
- It will also be a signal to the citizens of Ukraine and Moldova that we are a reliable partner, that "we are serious and that we keep our words";
- starting negotiations with Ukraine, which has been subjected to Russian invasion, "will be a signal to the Kremlin and to everyone in the world who wants to undermine the world order".