At the summit meeting, the EU-European Union decided to grant Ukraine and Moldova, which are applying for membership, the position of "candidate countries" that are the prerequisites for the start of negotiations.
The EU held a summit meeting in Brussels, Belgium on the 23rd, and it is a "candidate country" that is a prerequisite for starting negotiations on Ukraine and its neighboring country Moldova, which applied for membership in February after Russia's military invasion began. We unanimously decided to accept our position.
The EU hastily held a press conference, and President Von der Leyen said, "There is nothing more hopeful for the citizens of Ukraine and Moldova during this difficult time. Our decision today is the invasion by Russia. In the meantime, it will strengthen Ukraine and Moldova, as well as the EU, to show the world that the EU is united against external threats, "he said, welcoming the agreement.
Regarding Ukraine, the EU's executive body, the European Commission, compiled a written opinion on the 17th of this month and recommended that member countries be recognized as "candidate countries", but said that there are problems with the rule of law and anti-corruption measures, Ukraine. I asked for a response.
At the summit meeting on the 23rd, we also confirmed these issues.
In the EU, even if it is recognized as a candidate country for membership, negotiations for accession will not start immediately, and it is expected that it will take a considerable amount of time for both countries to actually join.
President Zelensky posted that "Ukraine's future is with the EU"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on Twitter on the 23rd, saying, "I sincerely commend the decisions of EU leaders. This is a special and historic moment in the relationship between Ukraine and the EU. The future of Ukraine is with the EU." is.