Mon 20 June 2022:
Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, has voiced optimism that Ukraine will be granted official candidate status ahead of a major EU conference in Brussels later this month.
“I firmly believe that we will get a positive decision, that we will get support, that the course has now been set,” von der Leyen told German public broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening.
“Of course, this is also a historic decision that the European Council now has to make, but the preparations are good,” she said, adding that she was “confident” of Ukrainian prospects.
Von der Leyen’s remarks follow the EU Commission’s decision on Friday to formally designate Ukraine and Moldova as candidates for membership in the European Union.
On Thursday and Friday, the 27 EU member states will meet in Brussels to consider the Commission’s suggestion. Georgia’s bid for EU membership, which the Commission believes should be subject to a number of criteria, will also be on the agenda.
The member states have not taken an uniform stance on the admission of Ukraine and Moldova. The Austrian government has pushed for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be awarded candidate status at the same time as Georgia, while Romania has pushed for Georgia.
Von der Leyen emphasized that the Commission’s decision to support Ukraine’s candidacy was based on data, facts, and the country’s preparatory work over the previous eight years.
“Ukraine has made enormous steps forward in the last few years,” von der Leyen said, adding “we want to see even more.”
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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