He has waited a long time, but on the 113th day of the war, Chancellor Olaf Scholz comes to Kyiv. In the end, Scholz makes a promise to Ukraine.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and French President Emmanuel Macron have for the first time campaigned for Ukraine to become a candidate for membership of the European Union. Scholz said on Thursday during his long-awaited visit to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv: “My colleagues and I came to Kyiv today with a clear message: Ukraine belongs to the European family.”
Macron added: “In any case, we support Ukraine’s accession status to the European Union.” In addition to Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis also accompanied the Chancellor on this solidarity visit.
Selenskyj welcomes commitment – Scholz also wants EU accession status for Moldova
On the 113th day of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed his guests’ clear declaration: “EU candidate status could be a historic decision for Europe.” Ukraine applied for membership shortly after Russia attacked on February 24.
Scholz, Macron and Draghi traveled together by train overnight. Iohannis had chosen a different route. Selenskyj paid tribute to Scholz’s visit. Weapons would be delivered, including those requested. “Germany is helping us a lot here,” he said. “Yes, I am convinced that the entire German people support Ukraine.”
Macron’s clear statement on EU candidate status is all the more important given that France currently holds the rotating EU presidency. Draghi said at the joint press conference: “President Zelenskyy understood that the candidate status is a path and not yet the goal. A path on which profound reforms are necessary in Ukrainian society.”
The EU Commission is expected to make a proposal in Brussels on Friday to give Ukraine clear accession prospects. The EU heads of state and government will then discuss this at their summit (23/24) next week.
The decision on whether Ukraine will become a candidate country must be taken unanimously. Accession negotiations are complicated and usually take years.
Scholz also campaigned for Ukraine and its small neighboring Republic of Moldova to be given the status of EU accession candidates. “Germany is in favor of a positive decision in favor of Ukraine. This also applies to the Republic of Moldova,” he said.
Draghi calls for “profound consideration” for Balkan states
As a reaction to the prospects of Ukraine joining the EU, Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi has suggested a rethink in the other negotiations, particularly with the Balkan states. “We all know that this is a historic development for Europe that requires in-depth reflection,” Draghi said at the press conference, referring to the general rules for accession to the European Union.
For Draghi, this should have consequences for other countries in Europe: “It requires consideration by all countries, especially in the Western Balkans, which have been on the waiting list for years. These will be very important considerations,” announced Draghi.
In view of Ukraine’s prospects of joining the EU, Chancellor Scholz has spoken out in favor of bringing the Western Balkan countries closer to the European Union. “It is a question of European credibility that we are finally keeping our promise to the states of the Western Balkans, which have been on this path for years, now and in concrete terms,” said the SPD politician.
“There are clear criteria for accession to the European Union, which all candidates must meet,” he added. This applies in particular to the common rules with a view to democracy and the rule of law. “Democracy and the rule of law are what bring us together in the European Union and differentiate us from others,” said Scholz. The EU must prepare for this development and modernize its structures and procedures.
Source: Stern
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