The beginning of the long process of membership

This is the first step on a very long road. During the European Summit, which began on Thursday, June 23, EU (EU) leaders are preparing to grant Ukraine candidate status for the European Union. This position makes it possible to officially open negotiations on its accessibility, marking the beginning of a process that could take decades.

“If the political pressure induced by the war in Ukraine can be verified at the time of Ukraine’s candidacy, its attachment will not be immediate.”Georgina Wright, director of the Europe Project, warns within the Institute’s Montenegous Think Tank. “We need to make sure both officers can carry out this plan.”She underlined, provoking, aside, “Ukraine’s ability to comply with European rules”Other “The EU must absorb a new country while maintaining its institutional balance”.

From submitting the application to joining the EU, including verification of candidate status, The world Ukraine is coming back to this long path of waiting before it becomes a member of the European Union.

Candidate status verified at the time of registration

On February 28, four days after the Russian Federation invaded its territory, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zhelensky One asks “Special Procedure” To annex his country to the European Union. A few weeks later, in March, the president officially submits a membership application.

In fact, there is no expedited procedure for EU members. Such an application involves a lengthy process, beginning with the unanimous approval of the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council (Member States) and the official verification of the Council of Europe (Heads of Government and Government).

In comparison, Serbia, which submitted its application in 2009, had to wait until 2012 before being granted candidate status and before negotiations began until 2013. Like many Balkan countries, Serbia is still waiting at the gates of the European Union. Like Albania, northern Macedonia and Montenegro, its membership has not yet been verified and negotiations are ongoing. Turkey put forward its demand in 1987, before being declared a candidate in 1999 and starting negotiations in 2005, which are currently stalled.

Under the conditions … towards granting candidate status

Three months after the application was submitted, the European Commission became the first body On June 17th, check out the granting of candidate status From Ukraine to the European Union. “Ukrainians are ready to die to protect their European aspirations. We want them to live the European dream with us.European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen justified wearing a yellow jacket and a blue blouse in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

“Ukraine has already adopted 70% of European rules, regulations and standards”At first he praised Mrs. van der Leyen, and provoked Bell-Mell “The Most Strong Presidential and Parliamentary Democracy”, “A very efficient public administration made it possible for the country to function during this war.”Le “Feet” Reform of devolution and “Fully functioning market economy”. In 2014, Ukraine signed a union agreement with the European Union, including a free trade agreement. This text, which is considered a prerequisite for membership, came into force on the 1st^{There is} September 2017, aimed at reforming Ukrainian companies and the economy, brought them in line with EU standards.

“A lot has been achieved, but of course more important work remains to be done.”Ursula von Der Layen, however, notes that progress needs to be made “Struggle against the rule of law, oligarchy, corruption and fundamental rights”. A warning to European diplomats aimed at avoiding headaches. Brussels, marked by very quick approaches such as Bulgaria and Romania, which are currently plagued by corruption, wants to avoid profiles of the troubled country. “This candidate status is reversible”, Mentioned Monte A senior officer, Early June. If this status is actually to be granted to Kiev, the Council of Europe may decide to withdraw it.

Reforms await Ukraine

Once the candidacy of Ukraine is verified by the Council, the European Commission must establish a strategy with Q before the country joins the EU. “This stage of the process involves the establishment of a support and financial assistance program that allows the candidate to undertake the necessary administrative, political and economic reforms to integrate the European legislative corpus.”Georgina Wright of the Institute of Montague explains.

What plans does Ukraine have to deal with? In addition to being dedicated to respect Sections 49 and 2 of the EU ConventionThe applicant must apply The Lisbon Treaty and the Copenhagen Standards are based on the imperatives of political and economic stability. “The criteria for the Aquis Commuter are included, meaning that the candidate state can integrate all existing European standards into its national law.”Porsche M^Me Wright.

“Getting ready to join the EU is not just about copying and pasting European law.”Sebastien Mylard, director of the Jacques-Delors Institute, warns. “Government Empowerment” The Ukrainian economy is essential. “Being a member of the EU means being a liberal democracy with a market economy.”Specifies the specialist who specifies the need to install “Anti-Money Laundering Act” Corruption schemes are operating in Ukraine.

Yet according to Sebastien Maylard:

“How Ukraine protects its minorities – Greek, Bulgarian, Hungarian and especially Russian-speaking – will be a key dimension of how the country develops to meet European standards.”

In early June, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he was “Ready to work” To become Ukraine “Full Member of the European Union”.

Once the first reforms are launched, Ukraine will be able to enter the negotiation stage determined by the EU Council. Led by a panel of negotiators, this phase focuses on Thirty chapters, Which covers the entire spectrum of EU activity. The Commission will carry out an initial assessment of progress now and until the end of the year. However, while the country is still at war, it is difficult to imagine the EU starting negotiations any time soon.

What about Europe’s ability to welcome a country like Ukraine?

Beyond the efforts demanded by Ukraine, its membership depends on the EU’s ability to welcome a new country under good conditions: adequate budget, decision-making ability … If Ukraine is allowed to become the largest trading partner in the world, it will become the largest. By area and the fifth most populous country. “This will have an impact on the balance of power with Ukraine’s strong representation in the European Council and Parliament.”Analyze Georgina Wright.

Emmanuel Macron told the European Parliament at the beginning of his EU presidency and before the war in Ukraine:

“We know for sure that it is not the current Europe, with its rules of operation, which could become 31, 32 or 33 Europe. That is not true, we will lie to ourselves.”

The possibility of seeing Ukraine eventually join the EU is increasingly a challenge to Europeans. Twenty-seven major uprisings are taking place, reminiscent of the decisions taken in the 1990s to welcome the former communist countries of Eastern Europe.