Brussels backs opening EU membership talks with Ukraine

(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission recommended Wednesday the opening of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine, following a review of progress made by EU candidate countries.

The EU's 2023 Enlargement Package assesses the state of play and progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey, and also, for the first time, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia on their respective paths towards accession to the European Union.

The report focuses on progress in implementing fundamental reforms, as well as on providing clear guidance on the reform priorities ahead.

In the case of Ukraine, the Commission's report finds that the decision to grant EU candidate status 'created a powerful reform dynamic', despite the ongoing war, with strong support from the people of Ukraine.

"Ukraine continues to face tremendous hardship and tragedy provoked by Russia's war of aggression," said the Commissionb's president Ursula von der Leyen: "And yet, Ukrainians are deeply reforming their country, even as they are fighting a war that is existential for them. Ukraine has completed – I was there over the weekend and was convinced of it – well over 90% of the necessary steps that we set out last year in our report. Just to give you an idea: Main progress has been achieved on the constitutional justice reform; the selection of the High Council of Justice; the Anti-Corruption Programme; progress against money laundering; important measures to curb the oligarchs' grip on the public life; the new media law; and progress on national minorities."

The report finds that the Ukrainian government and Parliament demonstrated resolve in making substantial progress on meeting the 7 steps of the European Commission Opinion on Ukraine's EU membership application.

Ukraine has established a transparent pre-selection system for the Constitutional Court judges and reformed the judicial governance bodies.
It has also 'developed its track record of high-level corruption investigations and convictions and strengthened its institutional framework'.

Ukraine has taken positive steps in a wider and systemic effort to address the influence of oligarchs, says the Commission. The country has also demonstrated its capacity to make progress in aligning with the EU acquis, even during wartime.

In light of the results achieved by Ukraine and also Moldova, and of ongoing reform efforts, the Commission is recommending that the EU Council open accession negotiations with both countries.

Furthermore, the Commission recommends that Council adopts the negotiating frameworks once Ukraine and Moldova have adopted certain key measures. The EU executive says it stands ready to report to Council by March 2024 on progress relating to these measures.

Commission Communication

For detailed findings and recommendations on each country, see:

Albania: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet

Bosnia and Herzegovina: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet

Kosovo: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet

Montenegro: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet

North Macedonia: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet

Serbia: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet

Türkiye: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet                    

Ukraine: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet

Moldova: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet

Georgia: MEMO; Report; Country factsheet