Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi assured today that the European Union will be less “bureaucratic” and “hardcore” in the accession process for new members like Ukraine.
The declaration comes a day after the EU’s main political body, the Council of Europe, approved granting candidate country status to Ukraine and Moldova, which are trying to join the bloc to protect itself from Russian imperialism.
After the conclusion of the European Council meeting in Brussels, Draghi said, “It was decided that the enlargement process, which was very demanding and bureaucratic, will continue to be challenging, but will be much less bureaucratic. The EU will take on a less rigid dimension.”
“Ukraine’s candidacy is a historic turning point, it is important for Ukraine and the rest of Europe,” said the Italian prime minister.
In recent months, European leaders have made it clear that Kiev will not take shortcuts to join the bloc, whose membership process is long and complex and requires the candidate to implement a series of political and economic reforms.
In addition, prospective members must adapt their legislation to European standards in all areas, including health rules, tax regime, public procurement, freedom of the press and independence of the judiciary.
Before Ukraine and Moldova, five more countries had candidate status – Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey – but none come close to joining the EU today.
Austria, Finland and Sweden hold the record for speed in the accession process: 1,431 days, almost four years. The most recent member, Croatia, submitted its candidacy in 2003 and only entered the bloc in 2013.
source: Noticias
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