Standing Chairman Michel: “Georgia will be granted membership candidate status”
President Zelenskyy: “Victory for Ukraine and all of Europe”
Prime Minister Orbán: Hungary will not change its opposition stance
Charles Michel, President of the European Union (EU) Summit, announced on the 14th (local time) that the summit had decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, welcomed this decision.
Chairman Michel, who attended the EU summit, said on social networking service (SNS) during the meeting that day, “The EU summit decided to initiate accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova (EU member states).”
In addition, “the EU summit granted Georgia the status of a candidate country (for membership),” he said. “The EU will begin negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina once the necessary level of compliance with the membership standards is achieved.” “For the purpose of making this decision, we have asked the committee to report by March.”
He added, “This is a clear signal of hope for their people and the European continent.”
Chairman Michel then met with on-site reporters and said, “We will begin negotiations and announce a report in March, and based on this, we will make a decision in March.”
“This is very important for us to support Ukraine. “This is a very strong political signal, a very strong political signal,” he said. “We are on their side (the Ukrainian people) and this decision taken by the member states is very important for the EU.”
When asked if there was opposition from Hungary, he said, “We made a lot of effort to protect the EU summit. “It was important that no member state objected to that decision,” he said. “That is why we were in a position to make this announcement tonight.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Estonian Prime Minister Kaya Kalas, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed their congratulations on the decision on social media one after another.
Regarding this, President Zelensky immediately posted on social media, “This is a victory for Ukraine” and “It is a victory for all of Europe.” “It is a victory that motivates, inspires and strengthens,” he said.
President Zelenskyy, who attended the summit meeting today via video, said, “Please do not betray European citizens and their trust,” and added, “If Russian President Vladimir Putin’s satisfied smile becomes the outcome of this meeting, European citizens will not understand it.” warned.
“Last year, Ukraine received clear recommendations on how to move forward,” he said. “We passed key laws. “What I want to emphasize to all of you is that you know that we have fulfilled all our obligations.”
On the other hand, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has opposed Ukraine’s accession to the EU, reiterated his position on social media that Ukraine is not ready to begin EU accession negotiations.
“Hungary is not changing its position,” Prime Minister Orbán said, adding, “The other 26 member states should take steps to open (membership) negotiations with Ukraine.” As a result, Hungary decided that the (remaining) 26 member states could go their separate ways. “Hungary distanced itself from this decision,” he emphasized.
A major obstacle for Ukraine is that membership requires unanimous consent. If Hungary, which has pro-Russian tendencies, cannot be turned around, Ukraine will ultimately not be able to join the EU.
Last month, the European Commission recommended that Ukraine should be allowed to negotiate membership membership.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.