At the end of the year, member states will decide whether to initiate negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU

Ukraine has taken significant steps towards bringing its legislation in line with EU standards: implementing reforms, upholding the rule of law, fighting against corruption, and human rights protection. After the report on the European Commission’s seven recommendations adoption, in December 2023, member states will consider gearing up to start accession talk.

It was emphasized by Jennes de Mol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine during a roundtable discussion at the Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform. 

However, he warned that accession negotiations could take a number of years.

“At the end of November, the European Commission will publish a report on seven recommendations. And in December, the member states will decide whether to kick off the EU accession negotiations. It’s clear that negotiations alone can take quite a number of years, and we should all be honest to avoid frustrations at the latest stages. This way, we should present a realistic picture of this to the citizens,” he explained.

In addition to preparing Ukraine, Jennes de Mol emphasized, the European Union also has a lot of homework to be ready for EU enlargement. 

“The EU also has a lot of work still to come to accept Ukraine into the EU. It would then be one of the biggest member states, and it would have huge consequences for our internal decision-making, as well as for our spending from the EU budget, how much we will spend. And it will take time to think this through and implement certain changes that are needed. And this is just the beginning of the process because the EU integration project is never finished, there will be many changes, which all candidate countries have to adapt to,” added the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine. 

In addition, Jennes de Mol emphasized that the Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine’s aspirations and work on EU integration.

“I would like to emphasize once again that we wholeheartedly support Ukraine’s desire for European integration. I am confident that Ukraine will continue to move forward in this direction. And the Netherlands will always be side to side with Ukraine and support it in a very pragmatic way in this effort,” he added.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news