Just days ahead of a key report on Ukraine's membership bid, Ursula von der Leyen stressed that the country had reached many milestones despite the ongoing Russian invasion, particularly in the area of judicial reforms.
Standing next to President Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint news conference on Saturday, she said: "I must say you have made excellent progress."
"I know you are in the process of completing outstanding reforms. If this happens and, I am confident, Ukraine can reach its ambitious goal of moving to the next stage in the accession process," she added.
Saturday's visit marks the sixth by von der Leyen to Ukraine since the war began in February last year.
The European Commission must submit a report by Wednesday on the state of progress made by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia and decide whether or not to open accession negotiations before the 27-member bloc meets for an upcoming summit.
Enlargement will be at the core of the EU summit on December 14 and 15 in Brussels.
Kyiv applied for EU membership just days after Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, and received candidacy status several months later in a strong signal of support from Brussels.
The country sees membership as a top priority.
"This visit comes at a historical moment ... when we are waiting on a political decision about Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"This decision will have a pivotal impact not only for Ukraine but for entire Europe," he continued, adding that "Ukraine does not stop in transforming our institutions, reforms will continue."
Membership talks typically take years and involve extensive legal, political, and economic reforms. Ukraine's case has been made much harder by the war.
(mo)
Source: PAP, IAR, Reuters
