RT.com
24 Jun 2022, 16:13 GMT+10
The French president praised the ?political gesture? of offering candidacy to Ukraine and Moldova
Granting Ukraine and Moldova candidate status for EU membership is a "political gesture" that sends a "strong signal" to Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday. However, while Kiev and Chisinau celebrated, other EU leaders warned that the accession process could take years, with reforms and negotiations standing in the way of actual membership.
The EU's recognition of the "European perspective of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia is a strong signal towards Russia in the current geopolitical context," Macron said at a press conference in Brussels. Granting candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova sends "a very strong message," he added.
"We owe this to the Ukrainian people. They're fighting for our values," Macron said. "From day one of this conflict Europe has been reacting in a quick, historic and united way. Firstly with the sanctions, then macro economic, military and financial support and now by this political gesture."
European Council President Charles Michel also called it "a historic moment" and a "crucial step" on Ukraine and Moldova's path towards the EU.
"27 times yes!" said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, referring to the number of member countries. "Here's to good cooperation in the European family!"
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also praised the "symbolic message" of the EU's decision, but noted that this doesn't mean Kiev will be joining the bloc anytime soon. That is "a process of many years with a lot of reforms which will be very difficult," he said.
The process of joining the EU consists of 35 chapters, and can be suspended or reversed at any point. EuroNews described it as "lengthy, complex and often tortuous."
The European Commission is demanding Ukraine carry out seven major reforms by the end of the year, including implementing a law "meant to curb the excessive influence of oligarchs in the economy" and "the protection of national minorities" - which presumably refers to Russian-speakers and ethnic Hungarians.
By becoming candidates, Ukraine and Moldova join Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey in the EU's waiting room. Ankara has been a candidate since 1999. Meanwhile, the former Soviet republic of Georgia was merely given an EU "perspective," with candidacy contingent on further political reforms.
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Arizona Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Arizona Herald.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: Electric vehicle (EV) sales could reach 33 percent globally by 2028, and 54 percent by ...
BERLIN, Germany: To prevent large increases in food prices, officials from G7 countries, including Germany and the UK, will push ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is preparing to order Juul Labs to stop selling its e-cigarettes ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: As average home prices surged to a record high, reaching the $400,000 mark for the first time, and ...
MOSCOW, Russia: Russia's consumer price index has fallen by 0.12 percent for the third consecutive week.This drop in the consumer ...
TAIPEI, Taiwan: The American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan has recommended that the United States "urgently" initiate talks with Taiwan ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is preparing to order Juul Labs to stop selling its e-cigarettes ...
Washington [US], June 26 (ANI): Actor and wrestler Alexander Nevsky is all set to star in the new western 'Taken ...
The Detroit Tigers will go for a three-game series sweep of the slumping Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday in Phoenix. To ...
Right-hander Tyler Mahle will attempt to beat the San Francisco Giants for the first time in his career when he ...
Kody Clemens hit a three-run go-ahead homer and Miguel Cabrera moved into a tie for 27th place on the all-time ...
Cristian Javier and two Houston Astros relief pitchers combined to no-hit the New York Yankees in a 3-0 victory at ...