Correspondent in Brussels
30 or 35 Europe by 2040? This is the scenario that is now looming, as the Union must respond to the radical paradigm shift imposed by Russia on the continent. Ursula von der Leyen on Friday published the commission’s opinion on the EU membership applications submitted by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia a few days after the start of the Russian invasion.
Brussels advises the “Twenty-seven” to offer Ukraine the prospect of EU membership to Moldova, but also to give them the status of a candidate country. As for Georgia, the Commission does not pass the prospect of joining the EU for only one day. Consequently, the promise is more hypothetical at this stage, at best, distant.
“We all know that the Ukrainians are ready to die to defend their European aspirations. We want them to live with us for the European dream “justified the “VDL”, emphasizing that this country “Clearly demonstrated the country’s aspiration and determination to uphold European values and standards.”. President Zelensky welcomed the decision of the commission. “This is the first step on the way to EU membership, which will surely bring us closer to our victory. I am grateful to Ursula von der Leyen յուրաքանչյուր to each member of the Commission for this historic decision. I look forward to the positive result of the European Council next week “he responded on Twitter.
It is obvious that yesterday in Ki Ki, the leaders of the three most important EU countries – Olaf Scholz from Germany, Mario Draghi from Italy, Emanuel Macron – defended in Ki during the French presidency in the EU, according to which, candidate status. should be given to Ukraine, will be considered on the opinions given by the European executive power.
Ursula von der Leyen worked to substantiate the commission’s decisions, while Ukraine and Moldova used express analysis of their candidacy. He praised the “very strong presidential-parliamentary democracy”, “state governance, which works very well, which enabled the country to function during this war”, which continues to be modernized, the “success” of the reforms. decentralization, “fully functioning market economy”, etc. “VDL” also stressed that thanks to the Association Agreement, which binds Ukraine to the EU since 2016, this country has already “implemented about 70% of EU law, ie rules, standards and norms.”
The EU is facing major shocks
Listening to Sebastien Maylari, director of the Jacques Delors Institute, does not mean much. “Not because 70% of European law is integrated into Ukrainian law, it is necessarily applied. Membership is not a copying or pasting exercise. »
On the contrary, the chairman of the commission did not hide that great progress is expected from him. If there are anti-corruption bodies, they should become them now “Fully operating”. The same is in the case of the law against the oligarchs, which was voted, but must be applied. “A lot has been achieved, but, of course, there is still work to be done.”– he concluded.
The message is addressed to the Ukrainian authorities as well as to the member states, which are more vigilant about the prospects for Ukraine-Moldova, in particular, the Netherlands, Denmark or even Austria-Belgium. To reassure them, the Commission has decided to impose on Ukraine և Moldova goals to be achieved before the start of accession negotiations, the parameters of which must also be defined. VDL has also repeatedly stated that it is a membership process “Reversible”. Translation can be interrupted without the tangible will of the country concerned with progress. Brussels wants to take precautions when many refer to the extremely rapid annexation of Bulgaria and Romania, two countries also plagued by corruption.
Ukraine’s eventual accession to the EU is more and more likely to be a challenge for Europeans, given the country’s population և area but also the structural funds from which it will benefit. Pressure will also increase to accelerate the integration of some of the other five Western Balkan countries that already have candidate status. The EU is facing major upheavals, reminiscent of the decisions taken in the 1990s to welcome the former communist countries of Eastern Europe. Changes in management will also be required. “We can not work with 35, as we work with 15 or 27.”says the European diplomat.
Source: Le Figaro
