Being a candidate for EU membership is a huge amount of help a country can receive, says Roberta Metsola.
The time frame for consideration of Ukraine’s application for EU membership will be shorter than in other cases. To do this, the Ukrainian side must immediately provide answers to the questionnaire of the European Commission. This was stated by the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, the Interfax-Ukraine report on Thursday, April 7.
“I saw so many EU flags in Kyiv … This is the moment for us to open our arms. I spoke to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv that they are waiting for a list of questions, which should come today or tomorrow .They hope they can answer them within four days … Of course, then the ball is on our side again, and then the European Parliament will come in. We will do our best to take every step that is taken. I think, if The Ukrainians give us answers very quickly, then the time frame will be narrower than in other situations, “said the President of the European Parliament.
Metsola noted the fact that candidate status gives the country access to many EU programs.
“I know what it felt like to be a candidate country when my country was a candidate (Malta became a member of the EU in 2004, official accession negotiations started in 2000) to join the European Union. Being candidate is a huge amount of assistance available to the country in terms of infrastructure, solidarity, educational programs, access to all other EU programs, etc. And it will start immediately, which will also send a signal in Ukraine we are serious, “he said.
According to Metsola, “he will never forget how brave and courageous the Ukrainian people are.”
“If we are somewhat like them in our work, then we will be one step ahead in bringing peace and freedom to such great people,” the President of the European Parliament added.
It will be recalled that last week Metsola visited Kyiv. He promised that Ukraine would be recognized as a candidate for EU membership officially and quickly.
As you know, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an application to join the EU on the fifth day after the start of the Russian invasion. He asked the bloc to allow Ukraine to immediately obtain membership in accordance with a special procedure. On the same day, the EU officially began the procedure for consideration of Ukraine’s application.
On March 10, EU leaders approved the conclusions in which they announced their intention to further strengthen relations and cooperation with Ukraine, without mentioning giving the country the status of candidate for EU membership.
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Source: korrespondent
