EU wants to change 40-year accession rules for Ukraine - European Commission statement
Photo: Marta Kos (Getty Images)
The EU plans to change the accession rules that have been in effect for over 40 years for the sake of Ukraine, though this requires the consent of all member states, according to European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Marta Kos, during her speech at the YES Meeting conference organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.
Read also: Ukraine in EU by January 1, 2027? European Commission calls goal ambitious and seeks ways
"Ukraine is not stuck. And we are innovative and very much thinking out of the box in the times when there is no box. But now the biggest question, of course, is when this membership (of Ukraine in the EU - ed.) will come," Kos noted.
According to her, it must be recognized that the EU's current expansion methodology was created for peaceful times, when candidates had enough time to carry out all reforms, but today that time no longer exists. According to her, it must be recognized that the EU's current expansion methodology was created for peaceful times, when candidates had enough time to carry out all reforms, but today that time does not exist.
"So we are preparing a new approach to this methodology, which would enable, not just Ukraine, also some other candidate countries, probably for sure the frontrunners, to be integrated earlier. But we have to discuss this with the EU 27," she added.
The European Commissioner also emphasized that, under the current methodology, Ukraine cannot become an EU member by January 1, 2027.
"The methodology I am speaking about, we use for the last 40 years, plus minus. So changing the methodology, involving all EU 27, if we succeed, and I hope also with the French support, then we will be able to do it. This is a political decision," Kos emphasized.
She also noted that the accession process consists of two major parts. One of them is technical.
"I am doing really, and Ukraine is advancing. Just one example, since 24, Ukraine, based on the plan we have reached, should do 68 important reforms. You have done 63. So you are moving fast. The other part is the political one," concluded the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement.
Background
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv seeks a clear date for EU accession, emphasizing the need for clarity on this matter.
The US peace plan provides for Ukraine's accelerated accession to the European Union — no later than 2027. Washington believes it can overcome resistance from Hungary and other countries skeptical of such a decision.
At the same time, it has become known that the EU is considering several options for including Ukraine's membership perspective in a future peace agreement. Specifically, this concerns a possible phased process of providing Kyiv with preliminary protection guarantees.
