The Prime Minister of the Netherlands believes that Ukraine is unlikely to receive the status of an EU candidate./Collage Channel 24 candidate status. However, it is unlikely that this will happen in the near future.
This statement was made by Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte at a meeting of Parliament on Monday, May 23. He believes that accelerating the process of our inclusion in the European Union is unfair.
Statement by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands believes that before the Russian invasion, Ukraine was “very far from being a candidate for EU membership.” Many countries of the union, he said, do not like this idea. In addition, according to Rutte, the accelerated procedure for the inclusion of Ukraine will demonstrate injustice towards the countries of the Western Balkans, which have been waiting much longer to receive the status of an EU candidate.
One option for Ukraine is to “become a potential candidate for admission.” After that, our state will be informed how many steps it still has to take in order to acquire a full-fledged status.
So it was with Bosnia. It will also help ensure that the Ukrainian government is not demotivated,” Rutte said in a statement.
At the same time, several parties in the lower house of the Dutch parliament called for Ukraine to be made a candidate for membership as soon as possible. These include D66, PvdA and GroenLinks– a coalition party and two opposition parties with which the government often tries to cooperate in voting.
The VVD party, led by Rutte, still does not want to grant this status to Ukraine.
The reaction of the press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oleg Nikolenko
The Ukrainian side quickly reacted to the politician's statement. In particular, Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko believes that it is unfair to tie granting Ukraine the status of a candidate member of the EU to the consideration of the application of the Western Balkans. In addition, according to him, granting candidate status for Ukraine and the countries of the Western Balkans does not contradict each other.
He stressed that Ukraine defends European values, peace and security of Europe at the cost of the lives of its citizens, so it is time for the European Union demonstrate a clear position not only in words, but also in deeds.
Ukraine's accession to the EU: the main thing
- French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Bon believes that the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU will not be quick. According to his forecasts, Ukraine will become a full member of the EU in 15-20 years.
- At the same time, the French president is promoting the idea of a new European community. He seeks to create a “European political community” that will complement the EU, but will not be its alternative. It is in this project that Macron offers a place to Ukraine.
- Dmitry Kuleba reacted to the statement of the French leader. He stressed that Ukraine does not need surrogates for the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union, insulting the Ukrainian people.
Early in early summer, the European Commission should give its answer on Ukraine's accession to the EU. It is expected that we will receive the status of a candidate for entry, but there is no talk of full membership yet. In particular, Europe fears that the war on the territory of Ukraine may drag on, and the EU will have to bear responsibility for the economic situation in the post-war state.
