Slovakia supports commencement of EU accession talks with Ukraine
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Juraj Blanar (facebook.com/Aktuality.sk)
Slovakia is ready to support the decision to open negotiations with Ukraine on joining the European Union at the summit to be held on December 14-15, according to Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar following a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on December 11.
"Having assessed the reform efforts in Kyiv, we are ready to support the opening of accession negotiations, which will be discussed at the upcoming European Council meeting. However, our eastern neighbor still has a long and thorny road ahead of it, and all the necessary measures need to be not only approved but also implemented and monitored," Blanar says.
At the same time, the Slovak minister says that it is necessary to focus more "on finding peaceful solutions" and to work on the restoration of Ukraine, which should bring the country closer to EU membership.
He also adds that Slovakia will not provide military assistance to Ukraine but only humanitarian aid.
"At the same time, we will continue to provide humanitarian support to Ukraine, in particular in the area of demining and preparation of energy infrastructure for the winter, and we have already taken concrete steps in this regard," Blanar says.
Ukraine's accession to the EU
On November 8, the European Commission recommended to the EU Council to start accession negotiations with Ukraine. According to Ursula von der Leyen, Ukraine has already implemented 90% of the reforms expected by the EU.
However, Hungary says it will oppose the EU starting accession talks with Ukraine. Prime Minister Viktor Orban's party has submitted a resolution to the parliament against negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU.
The European Union leaders' summit will occur on December 14-15. There, European leaders will decide on the prospects for the integration of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. According to media reports, Hungary will block everything related to supporting Ukraine. Therefore, the summit may be delayed.
Read more about why Hungary is blocking Ukraine's accession to the European Union and what Orban wants in RBC-Ukraine's article.
