European commissioners believe that Ukraine has fulfilled the necessary criteria for EU membership, Brussels expects Hungary to object. The enlargement of the union must be approved by all countries at an intergovernmental conference, Financial Times reports.
The European Commission intends to recommend that Ukraine’s accession negotiations begin in June, before the presidency of the Council of the European Union passes to Hungary.
On Friday, Brussels will announce that Ukraine now meets European criteria, including anti-corruption reforms, restrictions on political lobbying, asset declaration rules for officials and protection of minority languages.
The European Commission will issue a similar recommendation for Moldova to send a positive signal to both countries. Georgia will not receive Brussels’ approval against the background of the adoption of the law on foreign agents in defiance of the EU position.
Potential challenges
The European Commission must get the support of EU member states to continue the process of accepting Ukraine. According to Financial Times, Hungary is expected to object and recall the problem of the situation of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine. Budapest has questions over the use of minority languages in the country, which goes beyond the European Commission’s official conditions, a senior union diplomat told Financial Times.
Belgium holds the presidency until July 1, with its government hoping to build consensus and hold the first round of Ukraine’s accession talks on June 25.
Ukraine sent its application to join the EU in February 2022, shortly after the military conflict began. In June of the same year, Ukraine and Moldova were granted candidate country status. Meanwhile, Georgia was denied this status at that time.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen noted last year in November that the accession process will be based on the merits of the candidate countries and there are no “shortcuts” for this. European Council President Charles Michel previously admitted that Ukraine might become an EU member state by 2030.
