Brussels admits Ukraine and Moldova as candidates for EU membership

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Jun 15:41

EU leaders will have the final say at a summit in Brussels on June 23-24.

Ursula von der Leyen (dpa)

The European Commission has endorsed Ukraine and Moldova as EU candidate countries.

However, EU leaders will have the final say at a summit in Brussels on June 23-24.

Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu reportedly welcomed the announcement.

Regarding Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated, "We all know that Ukrainians are willing to die for the European perspective; we want them to live with us, the EU."

"To conclude on Ukraine, we have one clear message and that is, yes Ukraine deserves European perspective, yes Ukraine should be welcome as a candidate country," she added.

Moldova too, not Georgia

Moldova, too, has a solid foundation in place to achieve institutional stability that guarantees democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and economic integration with the EU, according to the Commission.

However, the Commission stated that it should only be given a "European perspective," and that candidate status should be granted only after a number of priorities have been addressed.

"It is a huge step forward for Georgia to get the European perspective, this is a big achievement, and the door is wide open," the Commission head added.

This is happening a day after leaders of the bloc's three member states — France, Germany, and Italy — made their first trip to Kiev and showed their backing for Ukraine's bid.