EU executive to propose starting membership talks with Ukraine, Moldova: report

The European Union executive will on Wednesday recommend that the bloc opens membership negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova once they meet outstanding conditions, according a report by the Reuters news agency.

Photo:

EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

Reuters on Monday evening cited two EU officials it did not name as saying that formal negotiations with Kyiv and Chisinau could start next year.

🇪🇺“The best way to ensure stability and prosperity for #Ukraine in the medium and longer term is membership in the European Union. To protect Ukraine from future intervention, Europe is the answer,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, Ukrinform reported.

📷: AFP pic.twitter.com/wh6KS6oSBp

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) November 6, 2023

One of the cited officials saw a draft report by the European Commission ahead of its publication, while the other is familiar with its contents, according to Reuters.

Ukraine will make the European Union stronger and more secure, and together we will increase stability in the entire Europe. We believe in European unity. We are making every effort to join the EU.

🇺🇦🇪🇺@United24media pic.twitter.com/x3CWoXLvFs

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 6, 2023

The officials said that the European Commission's enlargement report, which will also cover progress towards membership by other EU hopefuls, is still expected to be finalised before official publication, Reuters reported.

(mm/gs)

Source: Reuters, ukrinform.net