The European Union officially opened accession negotiations with Ukraine on Tuesday. Representatives of the 27 EU member states and envoys from Ukraine met in Luxembourg for a first meeting, at which, among other things, the guidelines for the talks were to be handed over. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal spoke of a “historic moment” for his country and Europe.
“We are aware that there is still a lot of work ahead of us on the road to accession,” said Shmyhal, who was connected via video conference from Luxembourg. “We are ready to do this,” he said, in view of the necessary reforms that are a prerequisite for EU accession.
Shortly afterwards, the EU also started accession negotiations with Moldova. Representatives of the small neighbouring country of Ukraine and the EU met in Luxembourg on Tuesday evening for a first so-called intergovernmental conference.
“Both countries have made enormous progress in the areas of the rule of law, the fight against corruption and also freedom of the press,” said German State Secretary for Europe Anna Lührmann, welcoming the start of the negotiations.
However, it will probably take years, if not decades, before Ukraine and Moldova have fulfilled all the conditions for joining the EU. In the case of Ukraine, peace with Russia is a prerequisite. There is no guarantee of accession.