The European Union takes a new step by opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and by granting candidate status to Georgia. This decision was hailed as a historic step forward by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
For several years, Ukraine and Moldova have aspired to join the European Union to strengthen their security in the face of Russian ambitions and benefit from the economic and political advantages of membership. The European Commission has set strict criteria for these countries to meet, particularly in terms of the fight against corruption and judicial reforms.
Despite the many difficulties encountered, Ukraine continued to reform thoroughly and confront Russia’s war of aggression. This recommendation from the European Commission constitutes progress for Ukraine, even if the accession process still remains long and complex, as shown by the example of Turkey, whose negotiations have been frozen since 2018.
Moldova, for its part, also benefits from the opening of accession negotiations, which strengthens its position in the face of Russia’s attempts to destabilize it. Finally, Georgia obtained the status of candidate country, under conditions, after having undertaken significant reforms despite efforts to destabilize its democracy.
This gesture by the European Union towards Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia illustrates its desire to extend the European family towards the East in order to counter Russian ambitions and strengthen security in Europe. For these countries, EU membership represents a real opportunity for their economic and political development, while guaranteeing increased stability in the region.
However, it is important to emphasize that this decision is only the beginning of a long road for these candidate countries. Significant reforms will have to be undertaken to meet the aspirations of their citizens and meet the membership criteria set by the European Union. The process will be complex and demanding, but it represents a promising future for these countries and for the European Union as a whole.
In conclusion, the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova and the candidate status granted to Georgia mark an important step in the enlargement of the European Union towards the East. This decision reflects the EU’s desire to strengthen its security and promote stability in the region. However, there is still much work to be done before these countries officially join the European Union.