“We don’t want to give in”: EU enlargement chief calls for necessary reforms

The EU called on candidate countries to fulfill all the necessary conditions for joining the EU / Collage 24 Channel

The European Commission expects EU candidate countries to implement unfinished reforms 100%. Moreover, they are not ready to make concessions regarding the conditions for granting membership to the EU.

In addition, the European Commission can send its specialists to Kyiv to help implement the changes. This was stated by the head of the European Commission's Directorate General for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Gert Jan Koopman, as reported by Channel 24's correspondent in Brussels.

The EU is not ready to soften accession conditions

A senior EU official believes candidate countries must meet high European standards. That is why Brussels does not agree to soften its conditions.

“We always say that expansion is a merit-based approach and we don't want to compromise some of the fundamental principles of the Union,” Koopman said.

However, he admitted that he is proud of the significant successes of Ukraine, which has to make changes during a full-scale war. And also the achievements of Moldova, which also felt the closeness of hostilities.

“In my entire career at the Commission, I don’t remember having to negotiate in bomb shelters, or having calls from Brussels interrupted due to bombing,” the EC representative said about his visits to Kiev.

“By recommending the opening of negotiations, we have set a stage in this process. It is very important for us that these countries fully reach 100%. Therefore, we will confirm the implementation of the changes before the European Council approves the mandate for negotiations,” Koopman said.

The European Commission will present the next assessment at the end of March 2024. It is expected that Ukraine will be able to complete the implementation of all laws by then. The European Commission is also ready to send its experts to Kyiv.

The fundamental question is: what do we do with a country that is at war? Does it have the ability to wage war and carry out reforms? They (Ukraine – Channel 24) have an amazing ability to get things done, but we will need to continue to strengthen them,” Koopman said.

According to him, this includes supporting public administration reform through training, as well as sending people from the European Union to help our state cope with this.

The European Commission recommended starting negotiations with Ukraine

• The European Commission took a historic decision on November 8th. She recommended starting negotiations on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU.
• President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine has already completed 90% of reforms. According to her, our state has made progress in matters of justice, the fight against corruption and de-oligarchization.
• At the same time, the European Commission recommended granting EU candidate status to Georgia. In addition, the Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.