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European Solidarity faction demands extra meeting of Rada on eve of 14-15 December summit

Poroshenko called on MPs from different factions to sign and co-author the resolution. 

European Solidarity faction demands extra meeting of Rada on eve of 14-15 December summit
Photo: Anna Steshenko

The European Solidarity faction called on all MPs to sign a draft resolution on the need to make a decision to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU at the summit in Brussels. This was stated at a briefing by the chairman of the faction, Petro Poroshenko.

"Our faction has decided to prepare a special resolution, which we demand to be adopted immediately. An extra meeting of the Verkhovna Rada should be convened tomorrow. We have developed a draft resolution and it will be registered. It provides an appeal to the EU member states, heads of state and government that the entire Ukrainian community, the entire Ukrainian people, all politicians, both the government and the opposition, despite any issues that arise within the country, are asking for a positive vote on the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU on 14-15 December," he said.

Poroshenko called on MPs from different factions to sign and co-author the resolution. He also called for ensuring the right of opposition MPs to hold talks with EU leaders on the eve of the summit.

"And to do everything in their power to ensure a positive vote," he added.

Poroshenko reminded that Ukraine, as part of its European commitments, must also adopt laws on the reform of the SAPO, on the number of NAPC members, on the independence of the NABU, and a law on national minorities.

"We are pleased that more than half of our comments in the working group have been taken into account after the registration of the government's draft law (on national minorities). And this draft will be re-registered," Poroshenko promised.

The decision to join the EU requires the approval of all 27 members of the bloc. Budapest is now seen as the main obstacle. For example, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has previously said that the EU should first sign a strategic partnership agreement with Ukraine for 5-10 years, rather than start negotiations on full accession.

In November, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine had fulfilled "almost" all the recommendations put forward by the EU to start accession talks. The start of the process is expected to be announced after the summit. 

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