Conflicts & War

Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova in early stages of EU candidacy process

Brussels, Mar 7 (EFE).- The European Union Monday initiated early stages of formalizing candidacy applications submitted by Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The rotational presidency of the Council of the EU, currently held by France, said on Twitter that the European Commission had been invited to present an opinion on the submissions from the eastern European nations.

It marks the first step on a long road for aspirant EU members.

The Commission, headed by Ursula von der Leyen, will review the credentials of the applicant nations with respect to the fundamental principles of the bloc, their institutional and democratic stability and economies.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week officially filed an application to join the EU after Vladimir Putin’s Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor.

Moldova and Georgia, both home to Russian-linked breakaway territories, followed suit shortly after.

In order to receive EU candidacy status, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova must get the unanimous backing of the EU Council. Only then will they be able to begin accession negotiations.

Turkey, Serbia and Montenegro are currently in negotiations with the bloc while Albania and North Macedonia have obtained candidate status.EFE

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