EU publishes official document on launch of accession talks with Ukraine and Mdova

The full text of the document is published on the website of the Eurean Council, Ukrinform reports.

“The Eurean Council endorses the Council conclusions on enlargement of 12 December 2023. Building on the Commission’s enlargement package of 8 November 2023, the Eurean Council takes the flowing decisions:

Ukraine and the Republic of Mdova

The Eurean Council decides to en accession negotiations with Ukraine and with the Republic of Mdova. The Eurean Council invites the Council to adt the respective negotiating frameworks once the relevant steps set out in the respective Commission recommendations of 8 November 2023 are taken,” the document says.

Read also: Flowing EuCo decision on launch of accession talks, Zelensky thanks Michel for his faith in Ukraine

The document also envisages granting the status of candidate country to Georgia, and ening accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. The Eurean Council said it is ready to complete the ening phase of the accession negotiations with North Macedonia.

The Eurean Council also reaffirmed its full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans, its own commitments to support reforms and economic develment in the region.

The Eurean Council stressed that the process of enlargement is a geo-strategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity. It is a driver for improving the economic and social conditions of Eurean citizens, reducing disparities between countries, and must foster the values on which the Eurean Union is founded.

At the same time, as the summit conclusions point out, looking ahead to the prospect of a further enlarged Union, both future Member States and the EU need to be ready at the time of accession. Work on both tracks should advance in parallel.

As reported earlier, the Eurean Council summit is taking place in Brussels. The leaders of the EU countries are considering decisions of historic significance for Ukraine. The Eurean Council approved the decision to launch negotiations with Ukraine and Mdova regarding future membership, and continues the discussion of the prosal to create a Ukraine Facility in the amount of EUR 50 billion in the revised EU long-term budget for 2024-2027.