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The latest analytical publication of the EESC – “Prospects for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union”
The Eastern Europe Studies Centre and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania hosted the online discussion Perspectives of Ukraine’s Accession to the European Union to delve into the circumstances surrounding developments in Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union, starting with the proposals for state to be granted accession candidate status. The discussion panel included Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis, EU Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Katarína Mathernová, Director of the Centre for European Policy Studies Steven Blockmans, Senior Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs Dr. Kai-Olaf Lang, Analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs Aleksandra Kozioł, and Policy Director at GLOBSEC Marcin Zaborowski.
Summary:
- Ukraine’s prospects for EU membership are not only a political issue for decision-makers but also for the Ukrainian people, for whom the hope of EU membership is more than a political issue – it is a question of their survival and future.
- Hopes are particularly high over the Versailles meeting, as Ukraine was already treated as a member of the European family at that meeting, and so, more concrete respec- tive decisions are now expected.
- Before the European Commission gives its official opinion on Ukraine’s membership status, a number of proposals are on the table for the short, medium, and long term to help move the process forward more quickly.
- The experts agree that the ultimate aim is not to replace Ukraine’s accession to the EU with another document but to provide an opportunity to build consensus.
