"Only with Ukraine will the European project be truly complete," he emphasized in a video on Telegram.
Zelenskyy highlighted the significance of the day, stating, "Today is the official, real, true opening of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union." He reiterated Ukraine's commitment to aligning its system with the EU and noted the importance of political will in Europe to achieve a united continent. "This will only be possible with Ukraine as part of a united Europe—a Europe of values, a Europe without divisions," he added.
Reflecting on the journey, Zelenskyy said: "When we signed the application for joining the European Union on the fifth day of the full-scale war, many said it was just a dream. But we realized this dream."
The European Union officially opened membership talks with Ukraine on Tuesday. However, substantive negotiations will begin only after the EU screens Ukrainian legislation to assess necessary reforms. Ukraine applied for EU membership shortly after Russia's invasion in February 2022.
By launching accession talks, the EU also signaled support for Ukraine and Moldova's path towards greater integration with the West, moving away from Russian influence. The process, which required unanimous agreement among member states, was finalized on June 21, just before the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council.
The European Commission will now oversee the accession process, comparing Ukrainian laws with EU standards. The opening of the first negotiating chapters with Ukraine and Moldova is expected during the Polish presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2025.
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Source: IAR, PAP
