World Desk, AnyTV, Brussels
Published by: Harendra Chaudhary
Updated Thu, 03 Mar 2022 04:17 PM IST
Summary
The three Baltic countries and Greece have supported Ukraine on the issue of membership. But the general understanding is that it is not easy for Ukraine to get EU membership immediately. One of the reasons for this is that the applications of many other countries are pending before Ukraine’s application for EU membership. They include Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey…
The European Union (EU) has deep sympathy for Ukraine, but it is unlikely to get EU membership in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released an emotional video message on Wednesday. In it, he appealed to the EU to expedite the process of granting membership to Ukraine. Addressing the EU, Zelensky said- ‘This is not the time to be neutral.’
Earlier on Tuesday, in his message to the European Parliament, Zelensky had said – ‘You prove that you are with us.’ On his statement, the members of the European Parliament stood and applauded for a long time. This was seen as a sign of sympathy and support of the European Parliament towards Ukraine. The European Parliament passed a resolution saying that Ukraine should be granted EU membership.
Zelensky may benefit in talks in Russia
Analysts say that getting EU membership could pave the way for a solution to the current crisis. Russia has put a condition for the ceasefire that Ukraine should end its military capability and declare that it will not become a member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). According to diplomacy experts, if the EU gets membership, then there will be a favorable situation for Zelensky in negotiations on these terms. An EU official told the British newspaper The Guardian: ‘In my opinion this is also one of the reasons why Zelensky is pushing for EU membership.’
The three Baltic countries and Greece have supported Ukraine on the issue of membership. But the general understanding is that it is not easy for Ukraine to get EU membership immediately. One of the reasons for this is that the applications of many other countries are pending before Ukraine’s application for EU membership. They include Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. French President Emmanuel Macron has been liberally opposed to EU membership. He has said that before a new country can become a member, the issue of the decline of democracy in Poland and Hungary must be resolved.
Ukraine is the second most corrupt country in Europe
In 2008, then-President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, claimed that he had received promising messages about EU membership. But Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg halted the process. A good record on the Index of Democracy and Clean Governance is considered essential to be eligible for EU membership. Whereas Ukraine is currently the second most corrupt country in Europe according to the Corruption Index of NGO – Transparency International.
Experts say that the process of granting EU membership takes at least 18 months to complete. If the EU Council agrees, then the opinion of the European Commission is sought. Meanwhile, Ukraine will have to ratify all EU laws. It will also take time. By the way, it is expected that the EU leaders will consider Ukraine’s application in their next summit meeting.
Expansion
The European Union (EU) has deep sympathy for Ukraine, but it is unlikely to get EU membership in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released an emotional video message on Wednesday. In it, he appealed to the EU to expedite the process of granting membership to Ukraine. Addressing the EU, Zelensky said- ‘This is not the time to be neutral.’
Earlier on Tuesday, in his message to the European Parliament, Zelensky had said – ‘You prove that you are with us.’ On his statement, the members of the European Parliament stood and applauded for a long time. This was seen as a sign of sympathy and support of the European Parliament towards Ukraine. The European Parliament passed a resolution saying that Ukraine should be granted EU membership.
Zelensky may benefit from talks in Russia
Analysts say that getting EU membership could pave the way for a solution to the current crisis. Russia has put a condition for the ceasefire that Ukraine should end its military capability and declare that it will not become a member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). According to diplomacy experts, if the EU gets membership, then there will be a favorable situation for Zelensky in negotiations on these terms. An EU official told the British newspaper The Guardian: ‘In my opinion this is also one of the reasons why Zelensky is pushing for EU membership.’
The three Baltic countries and Greece have supported Ukraine on the issue of membership. But the general understanding is that it is not easy for Ukraine to get EU membership immediately. One of the reasons for this is that the applications of many other countries are pending before Ukraine’s application for EU membership. They include Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. French President Emmanuel Macron has been liberally opposed to EU membership. He has said that before a new country can become a member, the issue of the decline of democracy in Poland and Hungary must be resolved.
Ukraine is the second most corrupt country in Europe
In 2008, then-President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, claimed that he had received promising messages about EU membership. But Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg halted the process. A good record on the Index of Democracy and Clean Governance is considered essential to be eligible for EU membership. Whereas Ukraine is currently the second most corrupt country in Europe according to the Corruption Index of NGO – Transparency International.
Experts say that the process of granting EU membership takes at least 18 months to complete. If the EU Council agrees, then the opinion of the European Commission is sought. Meanwhile, Ukraine will have to ratify all EU laws. It will also take time. By the way, it is expected that the EU leaders will consider Ukraine’s application in their next summit meeting.