The European Parliament called on the EU to prepare for the start of negotiations on the accession of Ukraine
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it calls on the EU to work on starting negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the bloc.
The text was adopted by 489 votes ‘for’, 36 ‘against’ and 49 ‘abstentions’.
In the resolution, the European Parliament detailed its expectations from the upcoming summit between the political leaders of Ukraine and the EU, which will take place on February 3 in Kyiv.
As for the prospect of Ukraine’s membership in the EU, the text of the resolution contains a requirement for the EU to ‘work on the start of accession negotiations and support a road map outlining the next steps that will allow Ukraine to join the EU single market.’ Confirming their commitment to Ukraine’s future membership in the EU after the official submission of the application on February 28, 2022, MEPs emphasize that accession is a merit-based process that involves compliance with relevant procedures, as well as the implementation of reforms and accession criteria.
MEPs also call on the Ukrainian authorities to introduce significant reforms as soon as possible in order to effectively meet the criteria for EU membership.
In addition, the European Parliament calls on EU member states to increase and speed up military aid to Kyiv, in particular, the provision of weapons, as well as the necessary political, economic, infrastructural, financial and humanitarian support.
The resolution also calls on the leaders at the upcoming Ukraine-EU summit to determine the priorities of a comprehensive recovery package for Ukraine. This package should focus on relief, reconstruction and recovery in the short, medium and long term.
Assessing Ukraine’s recovery needs, the resolution also reiterates the European Parliament’s call to use the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank, as well as the assets of Russian oligarchs, to finance post-war reconstruction.
In addition, the members of the European Parliament call on the member states to adopt the tenth package of sanctions against Moscow as soon as possible, as well as to constantly and proactively propose new sectors and persons for the application of sanctions.
In particular, the EP proposes imposing sanctions on companies such as Lukoil and Rosatom, which are still present on the EU market.
As reported, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, believes that Ukraine will become a member of the European Union.
