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 Pakistan Telegraph 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 Pakistan Telegraph.
More InformationLOS ANGELES, California: During a meeting that was disrupted by protesters this week, the Los Angeles City Council voted to ...
WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. Justice Department announced this week that former Puerto Rico governor Wanda Vazquez has been arrested in ...
OTTAWA, Ontario: Military trainers from Canada will head to the United Kingdom to teach Ukrainians new techniques for fighting the ...
SANYA, China: Following a Covid lockdown, some 80,000 tourists cannot leave the southern Chinese beach resort of Sanya. The restrictions ...
SANTA BARBARA, California - Australian singing sensation and actress Olivia Newtown-John has died at the age of 73."Dame Olivia Newton-John ...
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, California: Record rainfall on August 5 caused floods at Death Valley National Park that closed all ...
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - After almost four years, the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia on Tuesday welcomed the first group ...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks fell Tuesday, with broad-based losses across the board. The technology sector, however, wore ...
ISTANBUL, Turkey: Turkey's current accounts are expected to record a deficit of $3.4 billion in June and end the year ...
SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - Stocks in Asia were mixed Tuesday while in the Pacific, markets rose. The scene mirrored events ...
DHAKA, Bangladesh: Bangladesh raised fuel prices by some 50 percent this week, which is aimed at reducing the country's subsidy ...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks closed mixed on Monday as investors fret about CPI data due to be ...