By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL-On Thursday in Brussels, the official announcement came that Ukraine is now an EU candidate. The decision was announced at an EU Council Summit where President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wore Ukraine’s national flag colors, yellow and blue to declare that the decision of the executive body of the bloc found that Ukraine deserves EU candidate status because as she commented, “it has clearly demonstrated the country’s aspiration and the country’s determination to live up to European values and standards.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking via video link from Amsterdam said: “We deserve it,” and told the press that he already spoke to 11 European Union leaders on Wednesday about Ukraine’s candidacy. Zelensky said he is making additional calls this week and commented that he is hopeful that all 27 EU countries will support his country’s candidate status.
As von der Leyen commented on Twitter: “We recommend to give Ukraine the candidate status on the understanding that the country will carry out a number of important reforms.” She added: “Ukraine has clearly shown commitment to live up to European values and standards. And embarked, before the war, on its way towards the EU.” She said that Ukraine has adopted close to 70 percent of the EU norms, standards and rules, adding: “Yet, important work remains to be done, on the rule of law, oligarchs, anti-corruption and fundamental rights.”
In the meantime, diplomats explained that it would take Ukraine at least ten years or more to meet criteria to become an EU member but EU leaders agree Ukraine’s sacrifice in the wake of their ongoing horrific battle for territorial sovereignty and democracy, deserves to be recognized. And von der Leyen commented: “The process is merits-based. So, progress depends entirely on Ukraine.”
