Grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova without delay, European Parliament demands

With 529 votes to 45 and 14 abstentions, the European Parliament today adopted a resolution calling on EU Heads of State or Government holding their summit on 23 and 24 June to grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova “without delay”. MEPs say the European Council should do the same with Georgia “once its government has delivered” on the priorities indicated by the European Commission.

In the context of the brutal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, this move would equate to showing leadership, resolve and vision, say MEPs. At the same time, they insist that there is no ‘fast-track’ for EU membership and that accession remains a merit-based and structured process, which requires EU membership criteria to be fulfilled, and is dependent on the effective implementation of reforms.

Parliament also invited the authorities of Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia to “unambiguously demonstrate their political determination to implement the European ambitions of their people”, accelerating reforms in order to effectively fulfil the criteria for EU membership as soon as possible.

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Press release