EU Backs Ukraine’s Membership Bid—But Here’s Why Some Member States Oppose A Fast Track Application

Breaking Business EU Backs Ukraine’s Membership Bid—But Here’s Why Some Member States Oppose A Fast Track Application Robert Hart Forbes Staff I cover breaking news. New! Follow this author to improve your content experience. Got it! Jun 17, 2022, 07:36am EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline The European Commission backed Ukraine’s bid to join the EU on Friday, a necessary hurdle for Kyiv to clear in order to begin joining the bloc ahead of an arduous and uncertain battle for membership that has no guaranteed outcome and which could drag on for decades.

The European Commission backed Ukraine and Moldova for candidate status to join the EU, President . . .

[+] Ursula von der Leyen said. AFP via Getty Images Key Facts European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc’s executive backed Ukraine as a candidate to join the EU, praising the country’s economic development pre-war and its effort towards developing legal, democratic and anti-corruption institutions. While the Commission’s opinion is a necessary step for Ukraine to begin the process of joining the bloc, Kyiv still needs the unanimous approval of all 27 EU members—and many are divided on the issue.

The leaders of Germany, France and Italy—the EU’s three most powerful members—and Romania endorsed Ukraine’s membership bid in a visit to Kyiv on Thursday, adding to strong support from other countries, notably the Baltic states and Poland . Officials from other countries have been more skeptical of Ukraine’s candidacy, however, expressing concerns over Kyiv’s suitability to join the bloc, the fairness of fast tracking its application and the fact the country is currently at war. Diplomats from Denmark and Portugal’s Prime Minister have noted that if it weren’t for the war, Ukraine would not be considered close to meeting the standards required of prospective EU members, including on human rights, protecting minorities, a strong rule of law and democratic system, transparent governance and an economy that would enable it to compete within EU’s single market.

The Netherlands , including Prime Minister Mark Rutte , questioned whether it is fair to fast track Ukraine’s application when other countries—particularly in the Balkans—have been discussing candidate or membership status with the EU for years. News Peg President Volodymyr Zelensky has described joining the EU as a “long-standing goal” for Ukraine. The country already has an agreement in place to develop close economic and political ties with the bloc but Kyiv’s pursuit of full membership has been hampered by historic opposition from Moscow.

Zelensky formally submitted an application for Ukraine to join the EU in late February, just days after Russia invaded, and completed a membership questionnaire in mid-April. What To Watch For The EU leader summit on June 23 and 24. The leaders of the EU’s 27 members will have final say on whether to grant candidate status for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

The decision must be unanimous. What We Don’t Know If Ukraine will successfully join the EU and how long this might take. Candidate status kicks off the EU’s formal membership procedure and, with it, a journey to align a country with the bloc’s standards.

There is no guarantee a country will eventually join the EU or a strict timeline on the process and the system is “dynamic,” meaning a country can backslide in its application, von der Leyen said. It can last for years or even decades. There are five other candidate countries —Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey—and several potential candidates, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

Turkey, the longest candidate, was granted candidate status in 1999 and accession talks are stalled with North Macedonia and Albania. France’s President Emmanuel Macron said it could take Ukraine decades to join. Tangent Moldova and Georgia also applied for candidate status in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Von der Leyen said the Commission is endorsing Moldova for candidate status. However, the Commission will not be endorsing Georgia for candidate status, von der Leyen said, pointing to the country’s need to make further progress towards improving democracy, the judicial system and safeguarding fundamental rights. The commission recommended all three countries for “membership perspective,” which is consideration as a potential candidate under certain conditions.

Further Reading EU countries unanimously back Ukraine — except on its bid to join the EU (Politico) Will Ukraine Join The EU? After Country Completes Membership Questionnaire, Here’s What Could Come Next (Forbes) ‘Message Of European Unity’: Leaders Of France, Italy And Germany Visit Kyiv (Forbes) Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn . Send me a secure tip . Robert Hart Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions.