There are no rules for Ukraine’s accession to EU, only two elements are needed, - Ambassador Mathernova
There are no "usual rules" when it comes to Ukraine’s role in EU enlargement.
This was stated by the Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová, Censor.NET reports with reference to the EP.
According to the diplomat, the EU is ready to adjust the procedure if there is political will on both sides - and now it is.
"There is no formula for the enlargement of the European Union. Two elements are needed here. The first is political will, and the second is the ability of both sides to expand. And when one of the elements is missing, that's when problems arise," Mathernová explained.
She recalled that the last 10 years were the first ten-year period in history when there was no enlargement (the last accession to the EU took place in 2013 with the accession of Croatia), and the reason for this was the lack of the so-called "appetite for enlargement". However, after 2022, EU countries have radically changed their minds, and now there is strong support for the accession of new states, and this gives flexibility in the accession procedure for Ukraine.
"There are no "usual rules" when it comes to Ukraine's role in EU enlargement. You are setting world records, as it was with the submission of the questionnaire in 2022," the ambassador said.
However, she also reminded that in addition to political will, the second criterion must be fulfilled – to achieve Ukraine's readiness for accession and the EU's readiness for enlargement.
"We must not forget that the issue is not only in Ukraine. The ability of the European Union is also important, and achieving it is not an easy task," the ambassador concluded.
