The European Union will support the start of negotiations for Ukraine and Moldova's accession. Meanwhile, Georgia will receive "candidate with conditions" status.

This was reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent Ricard Jozwiak.

On November 7, negotiations will continue to finalize the details, but the main conditions are already clear: for Ukraine and Moldova, negotiations for EU accession will be opened (likely in March 2024), and for Georgia, candidate status with conditions will be granted for the next step.

According to the journalist, the preliminary decision was approved by the heads of the offices of the EU commissioners representing the 27 EU member states. This took place during a meeting dedicated to expansion on November 6.

According to the report on Ukraine, an internal document of the European Commission, it considers four out of seven criteria accompanying Ukraine’s candidacy for EU accession to be fully met. These criteria are:

  • The enactment of legislation regarding the procedure for selecting judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.
  • The completion of integrity checks of candidates for the High Council of Justice and the establishment of the High Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine.
  • Compliance of anti-money laundering legislation with FATF standards and the approval of a strategic reform plan for the entire law enforcement sector.
  • Media sector reform – bringing Ukrainian legislation into compliance with the EU Directive on audiovisual media services.

Earlier, the head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, stated that Ukraine could aspire to join the European Union in 2030. However, the country must maintain its current pace of reforms. She also noted that EU expansion depends not only on the reforms Ukraine must undertake but also on institutional and political changes within the European Union.

Photo: Open sources