"Ukraine will remain a priority": start of negotiations on EU membership supported by the European Parliament leadership

The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament (EP), the body that brings together the EP leadership, has supported the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union (EU). This decision may be made by the EU Council in December 2023.

This was stated by the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola at a conference on Ukraine's European integration, the European Parliament reports. The call of the EP leadership is contained in an already approved communiqué, she said.

"Ukraine is making impressive efforts. And the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament confirmed today (November 28 - Ed.) that Ukraine has demonstrated a solid basis for opening accession negotiations," Metsola said.

In the communiqué, the leaders of the European Parliament's political groups noted that Ukraine's accession to the EU is a "strategic investment in a united and strong Europe." It is also emphasized that the European Parliament believes that Ukraine will continue to "ambitiously implement all necessary reforms".

"Ukraine is and will remain a priority for the European Parliament. Ukraine can count on our continuous efforts and our readiness to support the legitimate ambitions and aspirations of the Ukrainian people," the EP said.

At the same time, the European Parliament intends to strengthen cooperation with the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. In particular, meetings between the relevant committees, as well as a series of mutual visits by parliamentarians, are planned for 2024.

The day before, on November 27, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed Ukraine's progress in implementing the EC's recommendations for starting negotiations on our accession to the EU with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zelenskyy assured that Ukraine would fulfill all the recommendations by the December meeting of the EU Council.

However, there may be problems with the EU Council meeting. A consensus of all EU member states is needed to make a decision at this level. However, Hungary is going to prevent the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU. The administration of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is called a friend of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, believes that the EU should offer Kyiv a "privileged partnership" instead of membership.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on November 8, the European Commission recommended starting negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union. The process will be launched at the end of March 2024. However, there will be no accelerated accession procedure as Ukraine needs to ensure development in some areas. The issue must be agreed upon by the 27 member states at the next summit in Brussels on December 14-15.

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