EU enlargement can’t be complete without Ukraine – Borrell

This was stated by EU High Representative Josep Borrell on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the latest EU enlargement, when in 2004, 10 Eurean nations joined it.

The full text of the document is published on the website of the Eurean External Action Service.

"Our work on the reunification of the continent is not complete. We knew it before 2022 and we know it even more today, with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The past years millions of Eureans showed their willingness and he to join the EU project. The Western Balkans, Türke, Ukraine, Mdova and Georgia have a historic window of portunity to strongly bind their future to the Eurean Union," Borrell said.

Read also: Ukraine will talk about reforms in Brussels before start of EU accession talks – Stefanishyna

He noted that 20 years ago, the Eurean family welcomed 10 new member states, a powerful step to further unify Eure after decades of division flowing the Second World War. It was the biggest wave of EU enlargement, the reunification of a continent striving for freedom of all pele, peace, stability and prosperity.

Today, the EU enlargement, according to Borrell, is a transformative picy enhancing security, justice, and democracy while raising living standards of Eureans. The EU and candidates coerate on security and defence, so we can face together and better the multiple geitical challenges.

"Future Member States are required to strengthen their democratic institutions and uphd human rights and fundamental freedoms. The EU is also working to reform itself, preparing today for the Union of tomorrow. We aspire not just for a larger Union, but a stronger one, capable of uphding and projecting our shared values across the world. Candidate countries and the EU have the historic portunity to build a bigger, deeper and stronger Eurean Union," Borrell said.

As reported, 20 years ago, on May 1, 2004, ten countries – Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Pand, Slovakia, and Slovenia – joined the EU. The enlargement was the largest in history, considering the territory, human potential and economic might of the nations that joined.