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Poland welcomes EU move to open accession talks with Ukraine

14.12.2023 23:45
Poland has welcomed a decision by European Union leaders to start accession talks with Ukraine.
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EU heads of state and government, including Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, on Thursday agreed to open membership negotiations with Ukraine, in a major boost for Kyiv and a blow to Russia, after overcoming months of opposition from Hungary.

They made the decision at a summit in Brussels, Polish state news agency PAP reported..

'Dear Volodymyr Zelensky, we did it': Polish PM

The Polish prime minister said in a social media post, addressing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: "Dear Volodymyr Zelenskyy, we did it!"

Tusk added: "I dedicate our today’s decision on enlargement to your heroes who gave their lives for an independent and European Ukraine."

Polish foreign ministry sends congratulations

The Polish foreign ministry tweeted: "Today, the dream for which many Ukrainians gave their lives, is coming true."

It added: "Ukraine begins EU membership negotiations. This is wonderful news. We extend our wholehearted congratulations to our Ukrainian friends."

European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday: "The European Council has decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova."

EU leaders also granted candidate status to Georgia and pledged to open accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina "once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is reached."

Michel said the move represented a "clear signal of hope for their people and for our continent." 

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP